Fantastic Frome raises over £35,000 for Ukrainian refugees

OVER £35,000 has been raised by the Frome community to help support Ukrainian refugees affected by the Russian invasion of their country. 

The money – which has been raised via an online fundraising page and a collection at the Frome Independent Market  – is being sent to Frome’s Polish twin town, Rabka-Zdrój, to help them support hundreds of Ukrainians who have sought refuge in their town. 

The appeal, which had an original target of £10,000, was launched by Frome Town Council soon after Russia began its large-scale military attack on Ukraine – under the orders of its President, Vladimir Putin. 

The council helped kick-start the appeal with a donation of £5,000; and within days, in what has been described as a display of ‘overwhelming generosity’, the Frome community helped smash the £10,000 fundraising target. 

A representative for Rabka-Zdrój told Frome Times, “Currently in the municipality of Rabka-Zdrój there are about 500 people from Ukraine (including children from the orphanage). We cannot give an exact number, because the refugees are still coming to Rabka. Some of them stay with us for a few days and then go further – to other places in Poland or in the European Union (often to their own families who emigrated from Ukraine earlier).  

“We have been assisting accommodation and provision of essential items (clothing, food, etc) and providing assistance on medical treatments, school enrolment, transportation, employment and so on.  

“Rabka-Zdrój would like to thank  our twin towns Frome, Chateau-Gontier, France, and Murrhardt, Germany, for their commitment to helping Ukrainians!” 

Deputy leader of Frome Town Council, cllr Anita Collier, who is also the council’s Twin Town Liaison councillor added, “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the response to our appeal.  

“Following the decision that Frome Town Council will be donating £5,000 to our Polish twin town, Rabka Zdolj, in order for them to support incoming Ukrainian families, our target has gone through the roof! 

“We sent out a JustGiving link to the people of Frome, in the hope that they might match our donation. The wonderful townspeople have responded with overwhelming generosity and within the first week alone have raised over £30,000. 

“Our decision to add a bucket collection at the Frome Independent Market on Sunday to the appeal resulted in Frome’s Rotary Clubs offering their help, and between us, we raised close to another £5,000. 

“All monies will be going to Rabka Town Council, who have sent coaches to collect around 500 Ukrainians from the border. These desperate people will be hosted by so many families in our twin town and it’s humbling to be able to help them with their costs for accommodation and food. The appeal is still open and we would be more than happy hear from you.” 

Frome Twinning Association has also praised the ‘extraordinary generosity’ of the town  

Chairman of Frome Twinning Association, Justin Worringham, said, “The twinning association is glad that we‘ve been able to work with the town council in responding to this emergency. Through the links established for over 10 years, the twinning association in Frome remains the contact point with Rabka.  

“Almost daily, we receive updates from Rabka on the situation there, which we pass to the town council here. We have been extremely impressed with the work of Rabka’s crisis committee in dealing with a constantly changing demand for their help, and welcoming so many refugees into their small town.  

“Currently, about 300 refugees are being accommodated in a mixture of hostels and private homes. This includes children from an orphanage. 

“If you would like to find out more about Rabka, you can visit https://600eb810cdd16. site123.me/ or contact us through the website. 

“When refugees cross the border into Poland from Ukraine, they are given a government leaflet setting out what they can receive in Poland. This includes visa free entry to Poland (just an entry stamp in their passport), free access to healthcare, education for 7 – 18 year olds, and visa free access to employment opportunities. 

“This is likely to be a long-term emergency. Please continue to support the town council’s appeal link.” 

The town council says that a £10 donation will help accommodate one person for a day; £20 will provide food, clothes and accommodation; and £140 will provide everything that a person needs for a week. 

To donate, visit the website: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ukrainianappealftc