TROWBRIDGE mayor Stephen Cooper says the UK cannot stand by while evil is allowed to prosper in Ukraine following the Russian invasion on February 24 2022.
Speaking at a celebration in Trowbridge town park for the Ukrainian Independence Day, he said that Trowbridge residents had “turned out” in their hundreds to support Ukraine by raising funds and showing their support for the war-torn east European country.
The celebration in the park included music, songs by Nicole Medin, children’s activities and a stand displaying Ukrainian literature.
Ukrainian refugees living in the area, together with hosts and other residents, were invited to bring along picnics to enjoy. Refreshments were available at the Park Club.
Cllr Cooper said: “On Saturday 5th March 2022, ten days after Russian tanks had rolled into Ukraine, Trowbridge Town Council held a rally here in this park.
“It had very quickly become clear that Russia’s invasion had precipitated a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and we wanted to give the people of Trowbridge both the opportunity to contribute towards a recently launched Red Cross appeal, and to simply gather and publicly show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams in both these aims. The people of Trowbridge turned out that day in their hundreds to both help raise funds and show their support, but that wasn’t the end of it.
“Since that day, volunteers from within our community have collected, sorted and shipped hundreds of tonnes of material aid… food, bedding and clothes… toys, cosmetics and toiletries… from Trowbridge and the surrounding area across Europe to Eastern Poland and on into Ukraine.
“Since that day others have travelled to the borders of and often into Ukraine, offering transport to those seeking refuge here in the UK.
“One local resident even bought a minibus so that he could bring as many back as possible and I’m proud to say that Trowbridge Town Council’s own minibus was also involved in this effort.
“Since that day so many amazing local people have opened their homes to Ukrainians needing somewhere safe to stay. People who came here as strangers, but soon became friends.
“I have nothing but admiration for all these selfless acts of kindness and compassion. This is surely the best of humanity.
“So, should we stand here in the face of this latest example of Russian aggression and celebrate Ukraine’s independence? Emphatically yes! We should shout Ukraine’s independence from our rooftops.
“We should publicly and repeatedly proclaim Ukraine’s absolute right to determine its own path.
"We should stand up to aggression and stand ready to aid and assist the victims of that aggression. We cannot stand by whilst evil is allowed to prosper. “
Anastasiia Zhurauel, who comes from Odessa in Ukraine, said: "We want to unite the Ukrainian community in Trowbridge. We have about 50 families living here.
"I would like to thank everybody who came and those who helped. They were so open-hearted and ready to do something to help us celebrate."
Mandy Archer, who helped Anastasiia to organise the celebration, said: "It was amazing. "It was lovely to see so many people there.
"We had a really good day with around 150 people attending from the Ukrainian and Polish communities in Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury, and locals.
"We are trying to get a feel for the Ukrainian community and will be holding a meeting at St Thomas's Church Hall in Trowbridge from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, October 6."
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