Raising Funds for Ukraine

Last night, 3rd November 2025, Yeo Vale RC, together with Yeovil RC, held a Curry Evening to raise funds for our ongoing Ukraine Project. The Mem Saab Restaurant in Yeovil was packed with 70 people, who enjoyed a sumptuous buffet Curry. There were 6 people representing Brit Valley (John and Chrystine Riley, John and Liza Clegg, John Bowden and Elaine McMahon) and Members from Crewkerne District RC and Langport and Somerton RC, as well as the two host Clubs.

A raffle was held, as was a collection of loose change. The final total is not yet known but is believed to be in the region of £600. John Clegg of Brit Valley gave a short talk describing the Project, which may or may not have added to the amount raised.

An enjoyable and fruitful evening. Thanks to Yeo Vale and Yeovil RCs and particularly to Cate Whitewood, who worked tirelessly all evening.

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Rotary Club of Brit Valley

Rotary Club of Dnipro Novyi

Project: See and Hear without War

In 2024, the Rotary Club of Brit Valley, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Dnipro Novyi, completed a project to undertake 35 Cataract Operations in Zaphorizhia. They involved the Rotary Clubs of Chard, Lyme Regis, Mendip, Yeo Vale, and Yeovil, as well as the Charity Global Sight Solutions and three Individuals, all of whom contributed. There were sufficient funds raised to provide 37 Cataract Operations. We are very grateful to all those who took part.

The situation in Ukraine has not improved in the past year, and the Presidents of Brit Valley and Dnipro Novyi, John Riley and Iryna Odytsova, have asked me to put together a second project between our two Clubs. In addition to continuing to fund the purchase of artificial lenses for Cataract Operations (for which there are at least 28 Applicants), we are undertaking the purchase of mobile phone charging banks. These would be purchased within Ukraine, with money supplied through the project at approximately £38 per charging bank. They are required due to increased power cuts in and around Dnipro and the need to keep in touch.

The most recent price we have for replacement lenses for Cataract Operations is about £216 each.

If we proceed with the target of 28 Cataract Operations and 100 mobile phone charging banks, we would need to raise (£5320 + £3800 £9120.

Any monies collected would be received by the Treasurer of District 1200. From there, it would go to District 2232 (Ukraine), which would send the money on to the Rotary Club of Dnipro Novyi. This is a tried and tested route, working without any problem with the first project.

We have considered going down the route of applying for a Global Grant. This was rejected for two reasons. Firstly, the project is too small (£30,000 minimum) and secondly the process would delay the project coming to fruition for too long. That does not negate any participating Club from applying for a District Grant.

We would encourage you to support this project and would initially ask for you to send your pledges to me, from then transfer of monies can be organised through me to the District 1200 Treasurer.

To start the ball rolling, my Club, Brit Valley, is pledging up to £2,000 towards the project.

John D Clegg – Brit Valley Rotary Club

Iryna Odytsova – Dnipro Novyi Rotary Club