Ukraine charity thanks Guernsey

Monday 30 January 2023

A charity helping women and their babies in Ukraine has thanked the people of Guernsey, and Lilita Kruze in particular, for their practical support during the ongoing war.

The 280 Days charity works to prevent pregnancy complications.

Last week it shared a message via social media where it said that "good and caring people" live in Guernsey.

It shared what it called a "charming and cosy story" about the island, thanking Mrs Kruze and "all the Guernsey residents who are joining in helping the little Ukrainians!"

Pictured: The post on Facebook, thanking Guernsey for all of the donations made over the past eleven months.

Ms Kruze is the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Guernsey.

She has coordinated collections of hand knitted items including hats and blankets, for babies who have been displaced with their mothers due to the Russian invasion of their country.

"In September last year we approached the charitable organisation '280 Days' based in Ukraine. We offered to donate new, handmade woollen hats, cardigans, mittens, socks, booties, blankets and toys," Ms Kruze explained.

"Considering the ongoing war in Ukraine, our aim was to help young families with babies."

Ms Kruze said that the offer to help led to locally knitted items being shipped to the people running the 280 Days charity who then distributed the hats, scarves, and other warm items among those who needed them.

"We received a prompt response from Yulia Ridchenko, one of the cofounders of the '280 Days' fund, accepting our proposal to cooperate. 

Pictured: Among the items which Ms Kruze and her supporting knitters have donated have been small dolls for the children to play with. 

"In October we sent our first two boxes, followed by the next four in November," Ms Kruze said.

Some of the lovingly knitted items were sent with the intention of sharing some festive cheer with the displaced mothers and babies, however delays with the post meant they arrived in the new year. 

However, Ms Kruze said the weather remains cold so the items are still doing the job intended which is to keep those babies warm and protected from the elements.

"The idea was to add festive gifts to the targeted packages for expectant mothers in November. Unfortunately, our first boxes were received by the '280 Days' fund in the second week of January this year. It is really frustrating to learn that so desperately needed help travels for so long in transit! 

"We have to remind ourselves that in Ukraine the weather is continental and during the winter months the air temperature can drop to up to minus twenty degrees celsius. Clearly, our handmade donations are desperately needed to keep newborn babies warm."

Anyone wishing to contribute knitted items can continue to do so, as the Newborn Baby Hats Appeal has resumed for 2023.

Ms Kruze said she is accepting donations with collection points at both Waitrose stores, Castel Parish Church, St Matthew’s Church, St Saviour’s Church and Vale Parish Church. 

"On 24 January we received our 14,000th donation. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their continued support," she said.