The Mayor of Reading, Councillor Rachel Eden has launched an appeal for financial donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre to help them support people caught up in the conflict.
The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre in Sidmouth Street has been completely inundated with donations of food, clothes, medical items and other gifts in kind in recent weeks. Now – following direct discussions with representatives of the Community Centre - Councillor Eden is calling for financial donations instead. The money raised in the Mayoral Appeal will go directly to the Community Centre to enable it to support fellow Ukrainians in any way it can.
People are being invited to give what they can safely and securely at the link below.
Councillor Eden said:
“The empathy and generosity of people in Reading has once again shone through in recent weeks, which is absolutely no surprise to me. I know the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has been quite taken aback by the sheer scale of physical donations, so much so that it has had to temporarily ask people to stop bringing items. It is also a fact that shipments are becoming more difficult and dangerous to deliver.
“Following my own conversations with the Community Centre, it is now very clear that financial donations are the best way residents can support the centre to help those poor people who are caught up in this terrible conflict, which is why I have launched this Mayoral Appeal today. The Ukrainian Community Centre will itself know how best to use these donations and money allows them to be flexible in the support they give to fellow citizens, whose needs may of course change over time.
“Reading is a City of Sanctuary not only in name, but in our actions. I know Reading will - as we always do - stand ready to welcome people, and I know the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre will be at the heart of that.
“We very lucky to have this Community Centre in Reading, which helps us reach out to the people who need our support. I know that household budgets are undeniably stretched at this time, but if people could find their way to making a small donation it will be hugely appreciated. Reading stands with Ukraine, now and in the difficult months to come.”
Following a request by Reading’s Ukrainian Community Centre, Reading Council has illuminated Christchurch Bridge in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag as a symbol of our support for the people of Ukraine and our local Ukrainian community.