Dec 4, 2022

Bristol charities and businesses have not forgotten Ukraine this Christmas Grassroots organisations in Bristol are continuing to support the people of Ukraine through community donations Bookmark From Bristol with Love is sending a truckload of Christmas Gifts and aid to Ukraine. (Image: Paul Gillis) Group 28 Invalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More info Group 28 In the run-up to Christmas, the Ukrainian First Lady urged the British not to forget about the suffering in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion. Olena Zelenska made the comments while visiting London for a few days. She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "We do hope that the approaching season of Christmas doesn’t make you forget about our tragedy and get used to our suffering. We feel that [strong support] by the aid for our forcefully displaced people, by the political and financial assistance and by humanitarian aid we are receiving from the British." In Bristol, grassroots groups have continued supporting the people of Ukraine by organising regular shipments of aid delivered by local communities to the war-torn region. Last Sunday, volunteers for From Bristol With Love for Ukraine were joined by Lord Mayor Paula O'Rourke and Father Christmas as they packed over 4,000 gifts into a van ready to be delivered directly to children in Ukraine. (Image: Paul Gillis) Driven by Frank and Debbie Noble, the shipment will provide presents to young people in the recently freed southern territories of Kherson and Luhansk. FBWLFU is a small charity focused on providing humanitarian aid primarily to Odesa and the surrounding region. It was established by Dr Razvan U Constantinescu, the Honorary Consul of Romania in Bristol and his wife Ileana, who, a decade ago, founded a charity that works to help children throughout Romania. Three days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dr Razvan sent a consignment of 15 boxes gathered between friends, family and neighbours to Ukrainian refugees on the Romanian border. Through his contacts established a safe and direct corridor between Bristol and Odewhich that has been the area where the charity’s shipments have since been focused. (Image: Paul Gillis) Over the past nine months, Dr Razvan estimates that the charity has sent over 5,000 boxes of medical supplies, food, and essential clothing for civilians and soldiers, amounting to over 40 tonnes of aid. Donations are received from the wider community throughout the south west and have even included an ambulance contributed by a Cornish creamery. Dr Razvan says that the charity desperately needs more help from local businesses who might be willing to join and support the ongoing deliveries. He said:” Our weakest link is the actual transport, and if we could generate in-kind contributions from the business community towards our transport, that would be amazing.” Those wishing to donate can do so via FBWLFU's JustGiving page or by contacting admin@fbwl.co.uk. (Image: Paul Gillis) One local business continuing to do its part to help with the war effort is the estate agency CJ Hole. The company, which has nine branches in the city, has joined forces with consultancy firm, The Pegasus Group to deliver aid to those that need it in Ukraine. (Image: Phoebe Davies) Organised by longtime friends Chris Hill, managing director of CJ Hole, and Colin Virtue, executive director of the Pegasus Group, donations have been collected through CJ Holes’ offices for van deliveries. They have just embarked on their fourth trip, clocking in over 10,000 miles travelled. Chris said: “Together with staff, we have personally loaded the bus with generators, drones, army boots and medical supplies, as well as normal food/health care products and completed two 5-7 day return trips directly ourselves. “The first two trips earlier this year were to the Ukrainian/Polish border and a great success, but due to the desperate level of need currently inside Ukraine itself, the last trip in September and also the next one will be directly from Bristol to the Ukrainian distribution centre in the city of Zolochiv, Ukraine. “ Chris estimates that they have bought back around 30 people in the minibus after dropping the aid off. While the latest trip is still under way, Chris is already planning the next one in January, with donations being collected at CJ Hole branches. Contributions can be made via the group‘s Just Giving - Aid for Ukraine page. The team is also on the hunt for volunteer drivers. Anyone wishing to get in touch should do so by emailing clifton@cjhole.co.uk. Read More: