Highlighting the Needy with Anthony Bernard.

24th August is Ukraine's Independence Day, celebrating many years of wrestling freedom from the Russian Bear to the east, and now fighting for survival as a sovereign country.   

The UK has readily accepted Ukrainian refugees from the Russian assault on their country. With the Royal Marine base in Lympstone and a naval tradition in Devon many here can empathise with the migrants, including my wife whose first husband was on very active service with 40 Commando 50 years ago, but died from illness some years back.  She remembers hiding behind a wall when a Nazi fighter strafed Exmouth more than 80 years ago!  The experience of war is never forgotten! 

Imagine packing as many possessions as you can carry, saying goodbye to family and friends and closing the front door, not sure when it will be safe to return home.  That's what many of the 180,000 Ukrainian refugees now in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme felt they had to do when Russian forces invaded their homeland on February 24th 2022.  Some didn’t have time to pack at all, just grabbed the children, dogs, passports and all the cash quickly at hand without knowing when they would be back! 

In East Devon and Exmouth we now have more than 100 people hosted with local families with many more in privately rented accommodation and numbers growing all the time. These are mainly mothers with children, for the obvious reason that others have stayed to fight the invader.  Most have found jobs, so joined in our East Devon economy, and all the children have places in school. 

EDDC is to be congratulated for not needing any Ukrainian family to stay in temporary housing for the last 9 months, with all of them either staying with host families or renting privately.  This gives more stability for school, everyday transport and basic things like being able to cook their own food. 

Broadly, Ukrainians are amazed by the open-hearted welcome, though very occasionally treated as unwanted immigrants.  There are always a few selfish people in any society who want what they personally prefer without caring for others!  The truth is that Ukrainians really would prefer not to be here, but to be home in their own peaceful Ukraine!  However, the world is far from ideal right now, so we all need to do what we can for others.   

A team has put on various events, including the Salvation Army, Exmouth, which co-hosted the Eurovision song contest in May with 60 people attending.  A La Ronde in Exmouth gifted 60 free entries to Ukrainian visitors, and the Eden Project in Cornwall gifted 60 free entries. Broadclyst Victory Hall and Younghayes Centre in Cranbrook are frequently used for events and all the people who work there, and everywhere else, are always supportive and welcoming. 

For Ukraine's Independence Day on 24th August a gathering is planned in Coburg Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8NF (Twyford House) starting at 2pm - bring and share food!  To book, contact: homesforukrainesupport@eastdevon.gov.uk 

On 14th September, the Beehive, Honiton (www.thebeehive/savoysystems.co.uk) is hosting Oksana Merhut, "the Sand Fairy of Ukraine", performing a show for hosts, guests and all Ukraine supporters.  Tickets £15, children £10, will raise money to help those back in Ukraine. 

To contact the Ukrainian community with donations, offers of help or just plain support and comradeship, email homesforukrainesupport@eastdevon.gov.uk or call 01395 517404.