With the appalling and heartbreaking news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is difficult to know what any of us can do to help. But there is one way – Frome Town Council has been approached by Frome’s twin town Rabka-Zdrój in Poland, which is 150 miles from the Ukraine border. Rabka has already taken over 500 Ukrainian refugees and is preparing to help more, with over 500,000 refugees already seeking shelter in Poland. Frome Town Council has pledged £5,000 but it costs £10 per day to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in Rabka and £20 per day if you include food, so they need more help. Currently it is money they need, not items, to help directly in the commissioning of buses to get refugees out of the Ukraine, get them to a place of safety, and to feed, clothe and house people as they arrive (see here). Frome Town Council has set up an appeal to support Ukrainian refugees as they arrive in Rabka. If you can, please donate whatever you feel able to at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ukrainianappealftc.

This has already raised over £11,000, and Frome Rotary has raised more too. Thanks to Drew, Town Councillor Anita Collier and others, Frome Town Council and many others are also collecting for this appeal at the Frome Independent market on Sunday in town, so do come along and show your support.

Mendip District Council also stands with those directly affected by the conflict in Ukraine, stating “Many residents in the district will no doubt be thinking about what they can do to help in terms of supporting the humanitarian response to this crisis and whilst the Council is not collecting donations directly, we have compiled a list of organisations and appeals that residents might consider supporting.” – please see here for the list and more information – https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/10815/We-stand-with-Ukraine.