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19

Apr 2022

Last Updated: 19/04/2022
Community
Community

Ripon author's support for Ukrainian refugees

by Tim Flanagan

| 19 Apr, 2022
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Ripon author Maggie Cobbett is raising money for people fleeing the war in Ukraine through sales of one of her books.

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Prolific Ripon author Maggie Cobbett is raising money for the beleaguered people of war-ravaged Ukraine through sales of one of her books.

For the foreseeable future, Ms Cobbett, who is chair of Ripon Writers' Group, is donating the royalties from downloads of her book Had We But World Enough, to the Ukraine appeal.

The selection of short stories, which can be downloaded from Amazon for £1.15, is a fitting choice to raise money for refugees seeking sanctuary in countries often thousands of miles away from their homes.

The book explores the dilemmas that people on the move face, including Vivien, whose dreams of moving to Key West are affected by US immigration policy and two young Afghan boys, who were sent off on a perilous overland journey that neither wanted to make.

A synopsis of Had We But World Enough on Ms Cobbett's website says:

"Life in a new country sounds enticing, but will the hopeful characters in these short stories end up with more or much, much less than they bargained for?”


The author told the Stray Ferret:

"I visited Ukraine a few years ago and was made very welcome there.
"Since the Russian invasion, I have watched in horror the daily images of death and destruction on the television and wondered if there was any way I could help."





Ripon's support for refugees


The generosity of Ripon's citizens has been seen in many ways across the city, as the community has rallied to the call for help from the people of Ukraine.

Regular collections have been taken by the Rotary Club of Ripon as part of a UK-wide appeal in support of Ukraine.

Flag of Ukraine on Ripon Town Hall

In a sign of solidarity, the flag of Ukraine continues to fly on Ripon Town Hall





The Magdalens pub on Princess Road has also held two major fundraising events in support of the a gofundme page launched by the Edwards family.

Son Lewis and his Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska, along with eight friends, set up a shelter in Slovakia in late February to assist refugees and the humanitarian work continues, with money raised in Ripon.



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A target of £20,000 has been exceeded and Lewis' mother, Ali Edwards, said :

"We have no further fundraisers planned and would like to thank the many kind-hearted people, whose donations of money, raffle prizes, facilities and time, helped us from day one."


She pointed out:

"Though Lewis and Tanya are no longer in Slovakia, the programme that they helped to set up, is continuing to support women, children and men over the age of 60 who have been forced to flee Ukraine. "