The community of Ross-on-Wye overwhelmingly responds to the crisis in Ukraine
rossonline
Posted On March 4, 2022
With the Russian invasion continuing in Ukraine and the devastating impact on Ukrainian lives, the community of Ross-on-Wye has rallied around to offer their help where they can.
Kts Craft Warehouse, based at the bottom of Edde Cross Street, has been the central hub for donations, with thousands of items being dropped off ready to be sorted and packed by a team of volunteers to be transported to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Romania and Ukraine itself.
Business owner, Katie Fowler, was keen to do her bit and has done a fantastic job coordinating, hosting and arranging the donation appeal here in Ross. Organising the appeal and trying to run a business at the same time has been extremely hard work, but Katie really wanted to do her bit. Katie told Ross-on-line: “Seeing the footage of the refugees in need broke my heart. I was keen to do something to help, and this has turned into a huge scale project, but I would not have it any other way.”
Donations are still being accepted at Kts Craft Warehouse if anyone would like to drop items off. A request has been made to please refrain from donating baby powder, milk and nappies at the moment due to local supplies running low. Items that are needed are:
Colouring books and colouring pencils
Battery packs for phones
Dried fruit and nuts
Hats, gloves and scarves
Earlier today we visited Kts Craft Warehouse. View the video here: https://fb.watch/byfbWYzD_X/
Creature Comforts, the pet shop based on Gloucester Road, collected donations this week. With hundreds of items being dropped off for the pets of Ukraine.
Vine Tree Vets are also collecting specific equipment at their surgery on Walford Road.
They will be transporting the donations to a Polish vet working in Dursley, who is driving out to join charities working in Poland next week to support the people and animals affected by the current devastation.
They are asking for:
– Collars, leads and harnesses
– Cat litter
– First aid kits– Bandages
– Medical gloves
– Antiseptic wipes
– Emergency foil blankets
– Cold/flu treatments
– Barrier cream
– Batteries
– Torches
If you are able to donate any of the above please take them along to the surgery by 6pm on Wednesday 9th March.
Cash donations are also welcome and will enable them to provide a greater quantity of specific veterinary supplies.
You can also donate to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal at Morrisons supermarket in Ross-on-Wye. Collection buckets are placed in store, or you can donate via card at the til.
The collection follows on from the announcement that Morrisons will be donating £250,000 to the DEC Appeal.
Local companies are also offering their support with the Wye Valley Group and Pontrilas Sawmills announcing they will be donating £50,000 each to the appeal.
In the village of Kings Caple, they are organising a Breakfast for Ukraine at the Old School Hall on Sunday 6th March 9am-12noon to help raise funds.
The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr John Winder, spoke out today and issued a statement saying how heart-warmed he has been to see the response from the community.
He said: “This morning I spent some time at Kts Craft Warehouse, a business that has turned into a hub for donations for Ukrainian refugees. I was moved to see the vast amount of items that have been donated, and the constant steady stream of people dropping off donations, as well as the hard work of Katie Fowler and her team of volunteers.
“I have been extremely heart-warmed to see the huge efforts the community of Ross-on-Wye have gone to to help the people of Ukraine through this difficult and distressing time.
“Hundreds of donations have been dropped off at Kts Craft Warehouse and Creature Comforts ready for transport to help those refugees in need.
“Ross-on-Wye has a strong community spirit, we have seen this on many occasions, especially over the last few years. The people of Ross always pull together when it is needed.
“I am proud to be Mayor of such a caring and compassionate town.
“My thoughts are will all those affected by the terrible events in Ukraine.”
Once again the community of Ross-on-Wye and the county of Herefordshire has shown its compassion for those in need.
