The Russian invasion of Ukraine that we are observing from afar is harrowing. War crimes are being committed  against innocent people. We are lucky not to be living this nightmare first hand and can turn off the images, the sounds. The friendly, warm people of Ukraine do not deserve this.

When events were unfolding around Ukraine, Charlie and her Aunt Brenda asked Charlie’s uncle Archie (Russian by birth and a long-term resident of his favoured city Kyiv) to leave, to come back and be safe in the UK. He refused. He wanted to stay, to defend his country and to fight for his way of life. His choice continues to scare Charlie but she is incredibly proud of him. He is still there trying to do what he can. It turns out he has been supporting a cause very important to him: Kyiv’s Children’s Cardiology surgery centre.  He has been scouring the city for basic supplies for the centre which is currently operating out of a basement where babies, some just a few weeks old, are being cared for.

Please read Archie's recent article in the Independent:  

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kyiv-troop-putin-b2026709.html 

We all read, listen and watch the events unfold and continue to feel helpless but Charlie and her friends feel that we can all do something.  We can help by raising money for the humanitarian organisations that are on the ground in Ukraine.  The DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal run by the British Red Cross is well established and is providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance.

To raise funds Charlie, her wife Jacqui and 2 amazing friends Emma and Bex Pope (and dogs) plan to virtually cover the equivalent distance to Kyiv from their wee village in Kent. They will walk, cycle, run and swim the 1,434 miles (aiming to average 25 miles daily) in 60 days - around their safe place in the Garden of England.  They hope you will support them by sponsoring each mile of their journey.

Follow progress on their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5082928605078692/?ref=share

Thank you and Slava Ukraini! 

Charlie, Jacqui, Emma and Bex 

Information on the DEC Ukrainian Red Cross Humanitarian Appeal 

Following the events in Ukraine, we have launched an emergency appeal. Communities are bearing the brunt of eight long years of conflict. We are very concerned about the recent intensification of fighting in eastern Ukraine over the past few days. Please donate today if you can. Even before recent developments, this is a conflict that hits people daily on personal, psychological and emotional level, bringing death, injury, separation from loved ones as well as the huge mental toll of ongoing violence and insecurity. How will my donation help people in Ukraine? We are responding to needs of people by: Repairing vital infrastructure such as water stations supplying water to over 800,000 people. Supporting small businesses with cash grants or equipment and vocational training. Raising awareness of mines through training and educational sessions run with the URCS and providing mine warning signs to mark dangerous areas.