All around Bridgend County Borough, communities are coming together to offer their support to the people of Ukraine with thoughts, prayers and donations of money, food and other essential items.
Bridgend County Borough Council continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine following the invasion by Russian forces. As an area which already provides a home for both Russian and Ukrainian nationals, we sympathise with our Ukrainian residents and share in their huge concerns.
We also appreciate and support our Russian residents who, like us, have condemned the unacceptable aggression instigated by President Putin and continue to stand with Ukraine. These actions which have once more brought war to Europe are already having a devastating effect, and have rightly been condemned by democratic nations all across the world.
Just as Wales is a place of sanctuary, so too is Bridgend County Borough, and it has been encouraging to see local communities enquiring about how they can offer help and support, and organising their own efforts. As the situation develops and we await further guidance from both UK Government and Welsh Government, we are ready to work alongside our partners, and fully support all efforts to bring an end to the conflict, prevent any further loss of life, and to deliver a peaceful and diplomatic solution.
Council Leader Huw David
Public vigil
A public vigil is being organised to demonstrate local support for Ukraine and will be held at Dunraven Place in Bridgend town centre on Friday 4 March at 6pm.
Expected to last 45 minutes, the vigil will be attended by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough and will include an address by Reverend Rachel Wheeler, a local choir and more.
Councillor David White
For further details, visit the vigil event page on Facebook.
Donations
Elsewhere, local communities are organising their own collections for food, medicines and other essential items. The Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) will be accepting drop-off donations of toiletries, personal hygiene and medical items at its community hub between 10am – 2pm on:
- Thursday 3 March
- Friday 4 March
- Tuesday 8 March
- Wednesday 9 March
Address: BAVO, 112-113 Commercial Street, Maesteg, Bridgend County Borough, CF34 9DL.
All donated items must be in good, clean condition and examples include wet wipes, nappies (all sizes), Calpol, Sudocream, dummies, personal hygiene products and toiletries such as sanitary towels, deodorant, toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc, paracetamol, all first aid kit essentials like plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream etc, thermal hats and gloves, torches, batteries and candles.
No food or clothing is required at this time as part of BAVO’s collection, but thermal hats, gloves, sleeping bags and blankets are welcome. If you are participating in an independently organised collection, please check what items are needed before donating, and ensure that the people you are handing items to have a means to get the aid to where it is needed.
Alternatively, you can donate funds to bonafide organisations so that items can be purchased in countries such as Poland without the need to transport them from the UK, so people are also being encouraged to donate funding if possible.
Heidi Bennett, Chief Executive of BAVO
Established organisations accepting financial donations include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Unice
- British Red Cross
- Save The Children
- UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Doctors Without Borders
- International Rescue Committee
Advice and support
Both the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain and the Home Office website are offering support for family members of British nationals in Ukraine, and also Ukrainian nationals living within the UK. You can access further advice from a volunteer legal adviser by emailing [email protected].
