Support to Ukraine

An unlikely combination of local artists and the Priory Church’s congregation have answered Malvern Rotary club’s appeal for provide warm clothing for the soldiers in Ukraine.

This is the time of year when we’re just starting to feel a little nip in the morning – some of us might be getting those bags of winter clothes out from under the bed or in the attic and stowing away the summer togs until next year. 

Many of us have the odd jumper or coat – be honest – that gets taken out of storage every autumn, and then neatly folded back each Spring, unused and un-loved. That includes those tacky Xmas jumpers adorned with reindeer.

Meanwhile over in Ukraine, the soldiers are still fighting, and it’s getting colder by the week. They have sent out an appeal, via Malvern Rotarians, for warm clothes – even ones with very tasteless Xmas motifs can be put to great use. Also needed are any walking aids, winter boots and sleeping bags. 

And this is where Malvern’s generous artists and choristers have stepped up.

Linda Dumore, a local artist, pictured together with her husband Paul Dumore, have just dropped off a very over-stuffed bag, groaning with wonderfully warm socks, jumpers, gloves and even a below-freezing level winter coat that has never been worn.

Linda’s mother, Gladys Peel, hand-knitted the beautiful jumper in the photo and Linda says that her mother would be delighted that her hard work is now paying off, keeping a soldier warm on those cold winter nights on the Ukrainian border.

In addition to local artists, the congregation of Great Malvern Priory have dropped off warm winter jackets, sleeping bags and walking aids. Clothes and aids are being collected until the end of October, and then put into a truck and driven out to Ukraine by volunteers. Julie MacLusky from Malvern Rotary, which is organising the collection, says she’s absolutely amazed by the response to the appeal and knows the soldiers will not only keep warmer, but whoever gets Gladys Peel’s hand knitted jumper will know that they are supported in their fight.

The appeal continues and anyone with an un-loved jumper, outer coat, gloves or socks, thermals or dis-used ski gear and sleeping bags, can get in touch