Determined to help for as long as conflict lasts
A number of Maidstone charities have banded together to provide support for the people of Ukraine.
A welcome event was recently held for Ukrainian refugees and their sponsor families at the YMCA in Loose.
The venue was selected to handle the large number of guests; in total 50 Ukrainian families along with their sponsors attended.
Ally Bantock, chief executive of Maidstone YMCA, was instrumental in coordinating the event which saw soon-to-be mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Mortimer, present.
Ally said: “There was a real buzz, we got a lot of good feedback, we had free tea and coffee, table tennis for older children and a bouncy castle for younger children.”
Golding Homes was on hand to give housing advice, while Make A Difference Maidstone (MADM) provided donations of essentials such as toiletries.
Looking towards the future, the organisation aims to set up a timetable of activities for refugees.
Just some of the pastimes in the works include sports such as karate, football, swimming and dance lessons for children.
In addition, former teachers will volunteer to provide English lessons throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, in partnership with international players, Saturation Trust, based in Maidstone is jointly providing weekly aid to Ukrainian city Reni, as part of it’s Love Reni project.
Saturation Trust is accepting donations locally and internationally to fund the weekly drive of aid, with the distribution of aid handled by a local church and non-profit organisation that the Trust, and Jubilee Church, has supported for 25 years.
On Saturday, May 7, the group held its second coffee and cake sale which raised £942.
As it stands, an estimated 10,000 Ukranians have fled to the city and require basic provisions and support.
Wikus Rautenbach, co-ordinator of the Love Reni Project with Saturation Trust, said:“I have been to Reni several times over the years and know how key the partnership is in the city in supporting people in need.
“This has increased exponentially with the war as Ukrainians
have fled to the border, waiting for visas, not able to move on without paperwork or women and children simply not wanting to leave their husbands, fathers, brothers or sons.
“They are now providing free lunches daily to refugees, food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable.”
He continued: “The team in Ukraine is headed by Michele Potgieter, who has worked and lived in Reni as a missionary team with her husband and family for more than 26 years.
“Michele, who was recently widowed, is determined to stay and support the people of the city that she and her family have dedicated their lives to.
“She is a source of inspiration to us all in the UK, as she and her team work tirelessly to help as many as possible at this time of crisis, and raising the money to help support her in this is the least we can do.”
“With our international partners, we have to raise 4,000 Euros to make the food purchases to the city every single week.
“Sending food purchased in Romania and transporting across the border is quicker, more cost effective and means we can send fresh local produce.
“We are determined to try to do this, with the support of others, for as long as the conflict lasts.”
Both Saturation Trust and Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM) charity have provided support for this effort.
Furthermore, MADM hosted meet-ups for local Ukrainian refugees at its outreach offices in Church Street, where 22 women
‘I have been to Reni several times and know how key the partnership is in the city in supporting people in need. This has increased exponentially with the war in Ukraine’
and five children attended the first session recently.
Now, in alliance with the Quakers, who have offered a larger meeting space to support the effort, weekly meetings will now be held.
Ukrainian ladies recently attended a coffee morning to thank those for their support for their country, with Maidstone Borough Councillor (MBC) David Naghi in attendance.
The coffee mornings have
become a meeting point for others involved in supporting the war effort.
To donate, details are Saturation Trust, Sort code 40-17-05 account 92005980. Charity number 1136361.