Danetre Daventry
This page details the project RCODD have been involved with to a successful conclusion.
Saturday 10th September
RCoDD arranged an Afternoon Tea for the Ukrainian visitors in our area. The photo above shows the visitors with our President Jim Shoesmith and International Chair Bob Leaper together with one half of a host family lurking behind.
The afternoon included a Zoom link with Sergii Zavadskyi. In the run up to the Saturday we received this email from Sergii.
Dear friends, Rotarians!
I join you in deep sadness on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences.
For many people in the world, Her Majesty was an example of nobility, service to her people and all of humanity, a wise woman who carried the responsibility of Sovereign and Leader of the great British Nation and Commonwealth for over 70 years. Until her last breath, she flawlessly and with total commitment performed her duties as Sovereign and as Leader of the Commonwealth, and was a beacon for values and world peace. For us Rotarians, it is especially important that her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne were Rotarians. They, as she herself was, are and will continue to be, examples to us of service above self.
It is very important for us Ukrainians, that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II supported Ukraine on the path of its development, especially during the last 30 years, and most of all during the recent months of russian aggression against our Nation. Two days before her sudden death, Her Majesty appointed an ardent supporter of complete Victory of Ukraine in this war with russia, as Prime Minister. I firmly believe in our imminent Victory, in our special relationship and in our bright future ahead.
May the soul of Queen Elizabeth II rest in peace.
God save the King!
Sergii Zavadskyi
Assistant Rotary Coordinator of Region 24 (Zone 21A) 2020-23
PDG of D2232 2018-19
Rotary club of Kyiv-City, Ukraine
Danetre Daventry Report
The lady we want to assist has a daughter here in Daventry. The daughter, Elena, is a widow with two children, in fact she works as a receptionist at the Mercure.Her mother is in Kyiv and has been disabled following a stroke some time ago, so is wheelchair-bound. The mother's husband was her carer but he died of a heart attack a couple of weeks ago and she is now looked after by a neighbour.
The daughter in Daventry contacted Rob Trigwell, Rotarian Neil's son, who is working for the UN in Ukraine requesting help in evacuating her mother so that she could look after her here. Rob has done some fantastic work trying to organise the move in conjunction with an American NGO, and we were asked to provide ongoing assistance when she arrives in the UK.
Elena has a family visa, so there are no known difficulties from that point of view. I am now in contact with her directly to keep on top of the situation, which is developing day by day. Rob is now on holiday so we're not getting information from him, but I believe that the UN is now trying to evacuate the lady to Poland, and then to Luton or Stanstead. Neil may get some further information, we'll wait and see. In the meantime I'm working directly with Elena to try to organise actions once the lady arrives.
The last info I had from Elena was that the evacuation had been delayed, firstly because they were waiting to see the outcome of Putin's speech in the Victory Day celebrations (9th May) and then because the evacuation team is concentrating on work in the East of Ukraine - understandable in the current circumstances. I'm hoping to get further news from Elena today and will update the club with the situation as appropriate.
In the meantime I've identified a volunteer driver with DACT who has a wheelchair-adapted vehicle and who will help to bring the lady from the airport to Daventry for a basic fee (his running costs), provided he isn't pre-booked elsewhere. The mobility shop attached to DACT will also re-furbish the lady's wheelchair which needs some attention, loaning a replacement while the work is being done.
Elena has a small, two bedroomed house and two children; she has some concerns about her space. Whilst she may well manage short-term there could well be problems soon around this aspect. It would be really useful if we were able to offer any help in this direction but that will depend on circumstances as they develop.
I have made initial contact with WNCC to enquire about social care but understand that this depends on a medical assessment from a GP. Elena had a poor experience when she tried to do this herself, describing the attitude of the person she dealt with as rude. This wasn't my experience, thankfully.
I believe that we have the relevant experience and contacts in our club to provide a great deal of support to Elena, if the club is in agreement, and it's for that reason that I presented the situation to the club last evening."
I am aware that there's a lot to take in, and wanted to share the info here with all members - some of whom weren't present last night. £500 has been pledged from District towards this action, and any requirements above this total will have to be considered separately by the club. But I believe this will be a good start.
Contact Robert Leaper about this page:
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more See what has been achieved by RCo Market Bosworth.
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RC of Peterborough
more Rotary Springs into Action in Peterborough
Melton Enterprise 2
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more This page details what Melton Enterprise have done for Ukraine.
back to page above this...
What has District 1070 Done for Ukraine
back This page is designed to list what District 1070 has done for the Ukraine Crisis. Please do not see it as a league table, please see it as an opportunity for us to publicise what we collectively have achieved.