Flying the flag – borough leads the way on support for Ukraine
By Rory Poulter
5th Mar 2022 | Local News
Residents are flying flags for Ukraine while at the same time, digging deep with donations of vital emergency provisions and cash.
Images of Church Street in Twickenham festooned with Ukranian flags have been widely circulated on social media.
Last weekend, Ukraine supporters gathered to protest Putin's invasion with flags and banners on York Street, Twickenham.
The Prosperity Café in York Street has seen long queues outside as residents from across Richmond drop off items needed by those fleeing the conflict.
While local schools, Richmond College and retailers, such as Sandy's Fishmonger, The Alligator's Mouth bookshop, in Richmond, are supporting fund-raising activities.
The Church Street of Twickenham Association was behind the flags initiative.
It announced the move, saying: "Showing solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. We feel for you and your horrific ordeal. Stay strong!
"We salute your courage and bravery to stand up to the crazy Putin Russian despot and his sheep army.
"The Ukrainian flags are here and up in the street now - wall to wall in Church Street. Stay strong. We stand with you."
The Association added: "They have our Solidarity but we need to do more. They need a No Fly Zone. They need protection."
The team at the Ukranian Prosperity Café have been inundated with donations of key items that are intended to be shipped to Lviv in the east of Ukraine.
Richmond Council leader, Gareth Roberts, has offered the team storage space at the nearby council officers to help cope with the mountain of items.
He said the team at the café are doing a great job, adding: "People are being incredibly generous."
The café is accepting donations from 11am-9pm through to Saturday and then between noon and 9pm on Sunday.
The list of essentials it is looking for includes – toiletries and toothpaste, nappies, baby wipes, baby food, thermal clothing for adults and children, energy bars, hats, socks and gloves, large back packs, sleeping bags, First Aid items and painkillers.
People are being asked to bag donations under each heading together, which helps with the sorting process.
Richmond College has been supporting the café's efforts by collecting donations for Ukraine from students.
On Friday, Twickenham School is running a charity non-uniform day. Students are invited to dress in blue and yellow to demonstrate our empathy and solidarity with displaced people in Ukraine with funds raised going to charities for refugees and displaced people.
On Saturday, the Alligator's Mouth children's book shop will be donating all profits to Choose Love's urgent fundraising appeal to support Ukrainian people.
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