Pictured: Deputy Mayor, Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods raising the flag of Ukraine outside the Town Hall.
| Thame Town Council stands by the people of Ukraine in the face of the invasion by Russia and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this action. Please be assured we will help in any way we can, working together with our local partners.Here is the link to the government’s local sponsorship scheme Homes for Ukraine where individuals and organisations can register their interest to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and find out more about the scheme. Guidance on government support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members. This includes the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows family members of British nationals to come to or stay in the UK; and the Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine, which enables people and organisations such as charities, businesses and community groups to sponsor Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come to the UK.The best current route to donate and support is via the Disasters Emergencies Committee. The UK Government has said it will match fund up to £20m. DEC works with 15 charities including Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children.There are a number of other international charities you can support:The British Red Cross has launched a Ukraine Crisis Appeal to support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross to fund food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter.The UNHCR refugee agency is collecting monetary donations for humanitarian assistance, emergency shelter and relief items like blankets. It will also fund psychological support for refugees.The UN’s children’s charity, UNICEF, is accepting donations to help ensure child health and protection services are sustained and families have clean water and food. Lord Williams' Parents Association are collecting items to be sent to Ukraine. These donations will be collected by Astra Recycling who will arrange for them to be delivered to Ukraine. The collection point will be at the Youth Centre at Lord Williams' Lower School on Saturday 19 March between 9.00am - 11.00am. Items requested are sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothing, backpacks, tents, nappies, baby formula, tinned meat, fish and vegetables, chocolate and protein bars, toilet paper, bath towels, new socks and underwear, torches, batteries and first aid items. Please place your donations into a sturdy box or bag. Also on Saturday 19 March, St Mary's church, supported by all the Thame churches, will be opening its doors between 11.00am - 6.00pm for the people of Thame to come together to offer up their thoughts and prayers for the people of Ukraine. |
