vigil Archives - The Stray Ferret

Harrogate college students march for Ukraine

A group of students from Harrogate Ladies College orchestrated a march around the town centre today to raise money for the Ukraine crisis.

The group encouraged the public to join them on the march at 2pm and collected donations in buckets.

All money raised will be going directly to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

One of the organisers, Mahala, said they were inspired by the fact that they had two Ukrainian students in their year group;

“Some people are reading about it on the news but not doing anything because they’re not directly impacted, but all of us seeing how hard it was for these girls made us want to try and help.

It’s hard when you feel useless because you can’t do a lot, but you can donate money.”

The Ukrainian Red Cross is focusing on offering first aid and supplies to Ukrainians who have suffered as a result of the Russian invasion.

Those who were unable to attend are still able to make donations on the JustGiving page.

Meanwhile, Stockeld Park in Wetherby have pledged to donate £10,000 to Ukrainian charities from ticket sales for its Easter Adventure event.

The money raised will be split between UNICEF and Ukrainian charity Voices of Children.

Harrogate farm shop Fodder also announced on Facebook today that they will be renaming their Chicken Kiev to Chicken Kyiv in support of Ukraine, and donating a small portion of their sale profits to charity.

LIVE: 24-hour vigil continues as Harrogate district responds to Ukraine crisis

The Harrogate district is continuing its response to the war in Ukraine with a 24 hour vigil being held this morning.

If you know of an initiative to provide help or support run by a person, charity, church, community group or business, let us know by calling the newsroom on 01423276197 or by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.30pm – Donation collectors say “no more” after filling unit

Joanna Papros, Kinga Goldsmith and Adam Goldsmith are behind the donation collection park at Claro Court Business Centre. The group have said they have been overwhelmed with donations in the past few days.

The unit is now full, with items ready to be packed up tomorrow to send to Ukraine on Thursday.

Local people have donated clothes, bedding, sanitary products and long-life food to try and help those forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.

In a Facebook post they said:

“We cannot physically take any more donations. Our storage unit is full. We are really sorry to anyone planning to still come down but unfortunately (in a good way) we will have to turn you away.

“The donations we have received so far is nothing short of amazing. we cannot thank you all enough.”

12pm – Harrogate charity shop accepts monetary donations for aid in Ukraine

The British Red Cross charity shop on Beulah Street in Harrogate has set up a fund for customers to donate to which is sent directly to its aid workers on the ground in Ukraine.

Charity shop manager, Caroline Knowles, told the Stray Ferret the fund was only set up last week and has already had several hundreds of pounds donated to it.

Ms Knowles said:

“There are workers from the Red Cross on the ground in Ukraine now helping people who need it. Each country has it’s own society which then relays what it needs to other Red Cross societies.

“We’ve had lots of people come in and simply donate and others add more to their bill after buying in the shop, it’s amazing to see how many people want to help.”

She added people can simply come into the shop to donate to the fund with no obligation to buy items.

11.30am – Vigil starts at Harrogate War Memorial

A 24 hour vigil for people in Ukraine has started outside Harrogate’s war memorial.

Around 10 people were outside the memorial, which is expected to last until 10am tomorrow morning.

Lindis Percy, organiser of the vigil, told the Stray Ferret:

“We just felt helpless and I just thought we need to do something. It’s horrific what is happening but we can stand here in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.” – thoughts of making the vigils weekly.”

Meanwhile, Kirsty Hallett, one of those who attended the vigil, said:

“I just feel what is happening against people in Ukraine is completely devastating, people are dying and their human rights are being stripped away.

“There’s so many heartbreaking stories coming out from the country and I wanted to show solidarity with these people. There’s nothing practical we can do other than support charities so I thought it was better to come out and stand here for a bit rather thank sitting at home thinking about what is happening.”

9.50am – Former Ripon student flees Ukraine

Lewis Edwards (pictured left) who has fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

As the Russian bombardment of Ukraine continues, former Ripon Grammar School student Lewis Edwards and his partner Tanya Bogdanovska are safe in Slovakia, but constantly thinking about family and friends facing the horror of war.

Lewis, whose family live in Ripon, has been providing regular updates, spoke the Stray Ferret this morning about his experience.

8.40am – Profits from flower delivery to be sent to Ukraine

A Knaresborough florist is to send profits from its flower delivery to help those in Ukraine.

4 Seasons Florists on Boroughbridge Road will donate its profits to Choose Love Ukraine, which is raising money to support projects for those fleeing the war.

8.30am – 24 hour vigil to be held in Harrogate

A 24-hour vigil will begin at the war memorial in Harrogate this morning to show support with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The vigil, which has been organised by Christopher and Lindis Percy, will start at 10am and finish at 10am the following day.

Anyone is welcome to stay for as long as they want. Warm clothing is advised.

Ms Percy, who has been a well-known peace campaigner in the district for many years, said:

“The news is very dire and we thought we must do something. It is a very dangerous situation in Ukraine. We hope people will join us.”

24-hour vigil in support of Ukraine to begin in Harrogate tomorrow

A 24-hour vigil will begin at the war memorial in Harrogate tomorrow to show support with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The vigil, which has been organised by Christopher and Lindis Percy, will start at 10am and finish at 10am the following day.

Anyone is welcome to stay for as long as they want. Warm clothing is advised.

Ms Percy, who has been a well-known peace campaigner in the district for many years, said:

“The news is very dire and we thought we must do something. It is a very dangerous situation in Ukraine. We hope people will join us”.

The Stray Ferret is running a live blog about people in the district who are helping people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Stonefall candlelit vigil remembers war dead at Christmas

About 60 people, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate, lit candles for more than 1,000 fallen soldiers at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetary yesterday.

Harrogate mum Benji Walker has been running Candles for Heroes every year since 2018 because she does not want the soldiers to be forgotten.

Yesterday’s vigil raised over £300, which will be shared between the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains the site, and armed forces charity Help for Heroes.

Ms Walker said:

“I have a son who serves in the Yorkshire Regiment. It’s important to me. They should always be remembered. Christmas is a special time anyway for family, so it’s a nice time to remember the sacrifice they gave.”

Stonefall is one of the largest war grave sites in northern England.

The cemetery was created in 1914 but most burials are airmen who died during the Second World War when bomber command bases were established in Yorkshire. About two-thirds of the dead are Canadian.

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