A Harrogate family, living on St Helen’s have received a huge positive response to their fundraising for Ukraine.
Collette Lain has previously lived in Ukraine, making the call for donations of particular importance to her.
Colette Lain said:
My family and I lived in Kyiv for 3-years as My husband was posted there with the British Embassy.
My daughter just left Kyiv only last year after 4-years working for an NGO that was involved in Conflict Resolution in the Donbas Area – she frequently visited Mariupol, Kharviv and the Donbas.
Needless to say we are devastated and heartbroken at what is going on in Ukraine.
I felt I had to do something. We have a neighbourhood WhatsApp group on St Helen’s Road so last week I put out a call to ask for donations of baby essentials, children’s colouring books/crayons, personal hygiene products and first aid items. I collected and delivered 6 car loads of goods to a hub in Leeds organised by Focus 4 Hope.
My daughter Victoria Lain collected donations from her daughter’s class at St Robert’s Catholic Infants School. While my neighbour Sophie Lomax collected donations from her child’s class at Rossett Acre.
During lockdown, I organised 4 raffles raising a total of £1500 through the WhatsApp group with proceeds going to The Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
I am now organising one to raise funds for The Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal https://www.dec.org.uk/
The 7th Harrogate Beavers And Cubs gathered a lot of donations. The St Helen’s Road residents have been so generous and supportive!
I have been trying to find someone that could safety deliver toys, new bed linen a towels that I would like to donate. Posted on Harrogate FB with Zero response.