Last week there were over 100 gathered to show solidarity and to collect donations for those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and although there were fewer in attendance this afternoon, the message of support still just as loudly and clearly.
The rally was organised by the Bolton branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, and those who turned out in the sunny yet brisk conditions in front of the town hall displayed banners and signs and the national colours of Ukraine.
Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Chair of Bolton AUGB, said: “The support from the community has been utterly... words fail me, quite frankly.
“Today as I look around. It’s tremendous support from everybody.
“I’m a Boltonian. I was born and bred in Bolton, but I’m Ukrainian and to see people, non-Ukrainians standing here with us, it means a lot. A hell of a lot.”
Mr Tymchyshyn took the time to thank the generous donations that the people of Bolton have been making in recent days, particularly the efforts in helping to ultimately send 11 vans worth of clothes and amenities, an estimated 10 metric tonnes, over to Poland to gift to those fleeing from Ukraine.
“On Thursday the queue was out the door to get in,” Mr Tymchyshyn said.
“At one point we had to say: ‘Sorry. Enough is enough.’ We logistically could not get any more through the door. Honestly, it broke our hearts to say to people [that].
“We’re just so grateful to the people of Bolton and I think some people travelled a fair distance as well to get to us.”
Mr Tymchyshyn also extended his thanks to Bolton Council and the numerous businesses in the area who help with the aid efforts, many of which sent vans and boxes and other forms of assistance.
Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas, was also in attendance. She said: “I think everybody loves our Ukrainian community and they appreciate [them]. [They are] so important to the town.
We’re just heartbroken for you.”
Husband and wife Stefan and Maria Galij were both born in England to Ukrainian parents. “Our hearts are in Ukraine,” Maria told The Bolton News. “It’s so sad. We always hoped it wouldn’t happen but thought it might.”
She added: “The support that has been shown worldwide has been unique.”
Stefan said: “I pray and hope that some sort of plan will be restored.
“Are we going to end up with a country with no men? It’ll take years and years to return to a free and independent Ukraine.”
Sonya May, whose mother is Ukrainian, turned out with placards and donations boxes alongside her husband, Stephen, and two sons, Jack and George. She told us: “Jack wanted to make some money to help.
“He’s been quite badly affected by it all, so we turned that into a positive and came to support Ukraine.”
Mryon Sherbatuk, who was over from Leigh where he is also involved with the AUGB, said: “We’re not just fighting for our freedom, we’re fighting for the freedom of the democratic free world.
“We feel so strongly about this. It’s heart-breaking that a sovereign, independent country has been invaded by this… I can’t even find the words to describe it. I’ve run out of adjectives.”
He added: “We’re so grateful to the British people and to the west. We never expected it. We’ve been absolutely astonished by the support and understanding.”
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