Helping Ukrainian Refugees

Helping Ukrainian Refugees

Many Rotary Clubs are helping Ukrainian refugees and Llandudno Rotary is no exception.

A small group of Llandudno Rotary Club Members, led by Rtn. Mike Perry, is planning and co-ordinating initiativ es designed to help the refugees feel welcome and integrate them into the community. We are fortunate to be working with so many people of generosity and goodwll, as described below.

We want to build on this in collaboration with such organisations as Llandudno Lions, with whom a meeting is scheduled in early September – anyone else’s input welcomed, too. 

Do get in touch – details below on how to do this.

LIAISON WITH ROTARY IN AMERICA

Llandudno Rotary is liaising with Meredith Levine of Friendswood Rotary Club, Houston, Texas. Representatives of the two Clubs have met several times on Zoom. The Friendswood Club is engaged in a programme of making financial support towards many Ukrainian refugee initiatives being undertaken both by Link International (an umbrella voluntary organisation helping Ukrainians in North Wales generally) and Llandudno Rotary itself.

TEN PIN BOWLING AT PRESTATYN

An initiative created by Rtn Mike Perry and his friend Steve Ransome (who is also a great friend of Rotary) was a ten-pin bowling evening at Prestatyn, with The Ffrith Park Bowling Centre providing games free of charge. This took place on 15 th August and Steve Ransome has described the event as being a very emotional and rewarding time

ENTERTAINMENT IN AND AROUND LLANDUDNO PIER

Rtn. Mike Perry has taken the lead in this initiative. After meeting therapy dog Jamie and four other therapy dogs, courtesy of Rtn.Mary Oliver MBE and Therapy Dogs Nationwide, eight Ukrainians went round the Llandudno Pier, had rides on the Ferris Wheel, refreshments and an ice cream, all courtesy of Pier owner Adam Williams.  

later that day Past President of Lions, Norman Mylchreest drove the Classic bus on a trip around the Great Orme and the Town Centre and received a great round of applause and a standing ovation from those on the bus for his kindness. There was no charge by Alpine

Coaches and there were approx. 24 on that trip.

CLOTHING HELP

Rtn Dan Worsley, owner of the Worsleywear clothing company, has donated a large consignment of mixed clothing (valued at approx £10,000) plus a quantity of ladies’ make-up, these comprising items that the company considered not worth listing for sale or as being shop soiled, plus some front line stocks where Worsleywear were carrying excessive stocks. The picture shows Ukrainian soldiers expressing their gratitude for receiving boxer shorts. Over 1000 pairs of boxers from front-line stock was part of the Ukraine consignment sent by Worsleywear from their Abergele warehouse

FOOTBALL AND SOCIAL LINKS

Rtn Dan Worsley has been instrumental in arranging for Glan Conwy Football Club to welcome Ukrainian Players.  Manager James is pictured handing Dennis his Glan  Conwy FC Shirt after Dennis had thoroughly enjoyed his first week's training. Dennis, a very young player said "I will keep on training hard until I am good enough to be selected. " Good luck Dennis! Since Dennis blazed the trail a couple of weeks ago, four further Ukrainian players (currently living at Prestatyn and Penmaenmawr) have also taken part, assisted in part by transport provided by Dan and others.

AT PLANNING STAGE

The sub-committee is in the process of arranging stalls, pop-up shops and pitches for the Ukrainians to sell some of the donated makeup, together with crafted goods they have made themselves. Rotary has arranged for them to have a stall at Conwy Honey Fair on 13th September. There is also the prospect of a weekly cultural gathering in Llandudno

The above examples are of course only scratching at the surface of huge need – there’s so much more that needs to happen. If you feel that YOU might be able to help in these or any other initiatives write to rotaryllandudno@gmail.com