WILTSHIRE Council has thanked local communities, charities and organisations for rallying behind the people of Ukraine following the country’s invasion by Russia.

There are a number of options locally and nationally for people to provide support and ensure it can benefit those directly affected by the ongoing conflict.

The council has set up a page on its website listing some of the ways that people can provide support. Although not an exhaustive list, the council will look to keep it updated as much as possible.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “On behalf of Wiltshire Council, our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the utterly heartbreaking scenes we are seeing in Ukraine.

"We’d like to thank everyone locally who is doing what they can to provide support and ensure that the people of Ukraine know they are not alone, despite the distance between us.

“Following the Novichok attack in Salisbury four years ago we are only too aware, on a smaller scale, of the callous disregard for human life and international law that Putin is willing to show.

“Wiltshire has strong military connections, and we know uncertain times like this can also be very difficult for those serving and their families, and our thoughts are with them too.

“As a council we are in regular contact with central Government and are ready to provide any support that we can, and although it’s too early to say what that might be at this stage, we’ll update when we can.

“ In the meantime we’ll do what we can to raise awareness of what people can do locally so that our county, filled with such compassionate and proactive communities, can be there for the people of Ukraine at their time in need.”

The Ukraine support page can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/support-for-ukraine.

Cllr Clewer praised the response by local communities across Wiltshire as people stepped up to donate bedding, toiletries, tinned food, clothing and medical supplies for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees – mostly women and children – fleeing the Russian invasion of their homeland.

Collections of emergency supplies are taking place throughout Wiltshire to help refugees pouring across the Ukrainian borders to safety in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

Hundreds of thousands of women have fled Ukraine carrying their babies in their arms and just a small suitcase packed full of essential items.

Well-wishers are particularly being asked to donate survival equipment; basic and more specialist medical supplies; clothing for women, young children and babies; sanitary products and non-perishable foodstuffs.

Among those who have organised donations is Ukrainian-born Larysa Copland-Griffiths from Wingfield, wife of Bradford on Avon chiropractor Michael Copland-Griffiths.

She has been raising funds from friends and family to buy necessities for Ukrainian refugees as they flee the terrors of the Russian invasion.

Larysa said: “With donations, I have been buying bedding, clothing, warm jumpers and gloves, body cleaning products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary products, baby necessities, first-aid travel kits, antiseptics, dressings, painkillers, dried pasta, nutritious tinned foods and even a collection of toys donated by my children, Alexander (Sasha) and Anna.

“These are being sent to Active Trowbridge, from where they will be forwarded in conjunction with the Trowbridge Polish Community to the Ukrainian border where they are most needed.”

Larysa said her parents in Ukraine are too old and unwell to travel and will remain in their village in the southern Mykolaiv district.

Her sister has been sheltering with her sick husband, daughter and grandson in the basement of the Kyiv shoe shop where she is manager. She refuses to leave Kyiv as her husband, recovering from double pneumonia, is enlisting to stand against the Russian invaders when fit enough to handle a gun.

At present trapped in Kyiv, her daughter and grandson are, themselves, hoping to get out of the city to the Polish border when the opportunity arises.

The city of Mykolaiv, where Larysa was their physician assistant and health lecturer at the city's Construction University for 16 years, is currently under siege from all sides.

Larysa added: “I am keeping in contact with my many colleagues from the university and hospitals where I worked, whilst remaining in regular contact with my sister throughout the day and several times through the night."

Mrs Copland-Griffiths took over responsibility for maintaining the flowers at the Wingfield Cross Roads Memorial, when her mother-in-law, the late Mary Copland-Griffiths, handed over to her the century-old family tradition.

 In honour of her brave compatriots in Ukraine, the flowers of the crossroads are currently decked in their national blue and yellow colours.

Dr Simon Selby, the Polish Honorary Consul for the South West, who represents 90,000 Polish people in the region, has been given permission by the Ukrainian Embassy in London to assist Ukrainians living in the region.

He said: “The world has united in condemnation against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“While I haven’t yet received any phone calls, I have been given permission by the Polish and Ukrainian Embassies in London to provide assistance to anyone who needs it."

Anyone needing help should call 01225 353265 or 07380 288944, or go to the Honorary Consul’s Facebook page. Assistance is also being channelled through the Polish White Eagle community in Swindon.

Bradford on Avon Town Council is also standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. To aid those in need, the town council is asking for donations from generous residents, specifically:

  • Sanitary products (nappies, sanitary towels, wet wipes)
  • Children's products (baby food, baby bottles, formula milk, children's clothes)
  • Survival equipment (sleeping bags, fleeces, coats, thermals, cooking equipment such as butane stoves and hot plates, water filters, reusable bottles)
  • Non-perishable provisions (canned food, instant food, coffee and tea bag)
  • Basic medical supplies (paracetamol, ibuprofen, bandages, alcohol wipes and sanitising equipment)
  • More specialist medical supplies (saline water, syringes, central lines, tourniquets, slings)

Donations will then be transported to one of the hubs in south-east Poland to be distributed by Ukrainian volunteers. 

Cllr Sam Blackwell said: “We have been thinking of ways to help the desperate situation in Ukraine with the number of refugees, internally-displaced people and injured civilians and military personnel rising rapidly.

“There is an urgent need for key items both among Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in neighbouring countries and the population within the country.”

All donations should be delivered to the Bradford on Avon Town Council offices at St Margaret's Hall. Please note that office hours are 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

For more information please do not hesitate to get email the Town Council at office@bradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk or call on 01225 864240. All donations will be greatly appreciated.