Frome community rallies to support Ukrainian refugees

THE Frome community has displayed an overwhelming show of support to the people of Ukraine after Russia began a large-scale military attack on the country last week.

Residents and local councillors gathered in Mary Bailey field for a candlelit vigil; and Frome Town Council has set up an appeal to support Ukrainian refugees in Frome’s Polish twin town, Rabka-Zdrój, which has taken in 500 refugees so far. 

The town council has already donated £5,000 and is asking the community to donate what they can to help pay for food and accommodation for the refugees in Rabka-Zdrój. 

“We have been touched by the plight of Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis of civilians hoping to escape invasion,” say the town council.  

Our twin town Rabka-Zdrój, along with many European towns, is in a position to be able to offer first response help as they are 150 miles from the border and have already extended the hand of friendship to bring over 500 Ukrainian refugees to their town.   

“But they need our help – and they have asked for support from all the twin towns of Frome, Murrhardt and Château-Gontier. 

£5,000 pledge

“Frome Town Council has already pledged £5,000, but it costs £10 per day to accommodate each Ukrainian refugee in Rabka and roughly £20 per day if you include food – and so they will need further help. 

“For many years, Frome has been jointly twinned with Rabka-Zdrój in Poland, Murrhardt in Germany and Château-Gontier sur Mayenne in France. Rabka-Zdój is situated in south-east Poland only about 150 miles from the border with Ukraine. With the current crisis in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of refugees have already sought shelter in Poland.  

“To put this in context, Rabka is about half the size of Frome and is not in a wealthy part of the country. Although the local province will pay for much of the accommodation, Rabka itself will need to find funds to enable refugees to buy necessities such as clothing, toiletries, toys, medicines, for an as yet unknown period of time.  

Donations needed

“This will put a big strain on Rabka and its people. Frome, Murrhardt and Château-Gontier have jointly agreed to help our Polish twin town at this difficult time. 

“At this immediate time, it is not donations of supplies that they are asking for, they need your money. This will help directly in the commissioning of buses to get refugees out of the Ukraine, get them to a place of safety, and to feed, clothe, and house people as they arrive.   

“We feel their plight and would ask that the people of Frome stand with us and Rabka’s other twin towns and donate to our appeal. Please be assured that your money will go directly to where it is needed – any monies donated will be ringfenced and to go directly to Rabka-Zdrój’s local council.   

“£10 will accommodate 1 person for a day; £20 will  provide food clothes and accommodation; and £140 will provide everything that a person needs for a week.” 

For more information and to donate, visit www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk

Candlelit vigil

A candlelit vigil was held on Friday 25th February, and was attended by the town’s mayor, cllr Andy Wrintmore, who spoke at the event. 

“Frome once again unashamedly wore its heart on its sleeve and held a candlelit vigil at the bandstand in the Mary Bailey field to show compassion, concern and solidarity for our Ukrainian friends and residents,” cllr Wrintmore told Frome Times. “We were joined by, amongst others, four Ukrainian women whom had travelled from Bridgwater, together they shared their heartbreak and anxiety with us and other families with loved ones currently in Ukraine also.  

“They educated us, thanked us and we all made contact with their friends and family, who were taking shelter in a city basement. This brought home how real and immediate this conflict has become. We are so interconnected in this modern age and I believe that effects of this will be strongly felt and condemned from every corner of the world.” 

Russia’s large-scale military attack on Ukraine began in the early hours of Thursday 24th February, under the orders of its President, Vladimir Putin.

In the wake of the attacks hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians – mostly women and children – have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries – many have been welcomed into Poland. 

The BBC has reported that refugee agencies fear up to five million Ukrainians could try to flee across the border as Russia’s war intensifies and casualties mount.