Owlett: We must keep donations rolling in

JACK Owlett has been organising donations for Ukrainians who are fleeing their homes in fear for their lives, including relatives of his wife, Katya.

The Worcester prop, who has returned to action after five months out with an ankle injury, says he has been overwhelmed by the response of the British public.

“A number of Katya’s relatives were in Kyiv, but they have managed to get out and go west, where it is less dangerous,” said Owlett, who visited Ukraine after his wedding. “We had a Zoom call with them recently and their words were ‘we were born here, we will die here’.

“It is really difficult for them and it is hard to see because you feel helpless. We are doing everything we can to get aid there and the generosity and solidarity of people here has been amazing.”

Katya’s father is Ukrainian and her Russian mother was last week trying to find a way out of Moscow by land with flights suspended.

“She was trying to go through Romania, the route taken by the lorries which leave here with supplies,” said Owlett. “We started collecting through WhatsApp and it got completely out of hand with all the donations that were made.

“Sixways is doing amazingly with its collection and they are looking for volunteers to sort through everything. I am bringing in stuff every day and it shows how much people want to help.

“We are storing stuff in the east stand and the bar area is full. When any crisis occurs, there is a huge swell of help but it fades as the weeks and months pass. We have to keep this rolling because no one knows what Russia is planning.

“It has been hard trying to juggle everything having just returned from injury, but it is great to be back on the pitch and I am raring to go.”

Worcester’s lead rugby consultant, Steve Diamond, used to coach Russia and his brother, Joe, left the country where he runs an oil company last week. “He said the people he worked with were gutted by what was going on in Ukraine but they do not have a say,” said Diamond. “When I coached Russia, there was an altercation with Georgia and we had to play in Ukraine and Turkey.

“I was looking at players in Russia for next season, but their problem will be getting out. There are no flights and it can take six months to get a visa. If you have common sense, you do not want to live in that environment.”

Such was the response to Worcester’s call for items like toiletries, nappies and tinned food for Ukraine that they had to close their donations centre temporarily because there was no space. “I know people there are very grateful,” said Owlett. “We have to keep it going because everything will be used. It is extremely tough to see what is going on and the fear is of the unknown.”