Bicester’s Mayor has launched an appeal to raise money to support Ukrainian refugees being cared for in Bicester’s twinned town Czernichów, in Poland.
It comes after a personal letter to Cllr Nick Mawer and Bicester’s residents from Czernichów’s Mayor Barbara Kos-Harat to ask for financial assistance to support refugees, mainly mothers with children and some unaccompanied children, who fled the fighting.
Residents in Czernichów, a commune of four small villages with a total population of less than 7000, are caring for about 450 people who fled Ukraine with a few personal belongings and their documents.
As well as providing food and shelter, many of the refugees need medical support, including specialist medical help and psychological support.
The UN Refugee Agency estimates so far more than 2 million people have crossed the border from Ukraine into Poland since the war began almost four weeks ago.
Bicester’s Mayor Cllr Nicholas Mawer has pledged to raise money that will be funnelled direct to Czernichów Fire Department which is coordinating the local response to the crisis.
Bicester Town Council, which will oversee the appeal, will make a donation of £5,500 and is urging Bicester residents to donate what they can.
Cllr Mawer said: “I last visited Czernichów in 2019 as part of the celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the twinning charter signed between our towns.
“It is a much smaller than Bicester and I can only imagine the pressure its residents will be under to help as many Ukrainian people as possible by housing, feeding and supporting them in so many ways. I really do admire what they are doing.
“We have all been shocked to see images of the devastation being wreaked on Ukraine, and at the same time we have seen the best of humanity as we watch the generosity of the Polish people who have welcomed more than two million people to their country in the past few weeks.
“I know people in Bicester will have already helped in many practical ways to support the people of Ukraine, but will want to do more.
“We as a council feel this is the most practical way we can support both our friends in Poland and the people of Ukraine.
“This money will be overseen by the local Fire Department in Czernichów, so we know this money will go directly to the people who need it.”
Last week the town council raised the flag of Ukraine above it’s headquarters, Garth House, in Launton Road, and lit-up the house up in the blue and yellow of the flag as a symbol of solidarity.
Separately, several councillors have also signed up to the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme to support refugees who come to live in the UK. For more information about the scheme or to sign up view https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-launches
The council is planning to set up a new grant scheme to support projects run by community groups in Bicester to support Ukrainian refugees.
To donate to the town council’s appeal view https://www.bicester.gov.uk/news/refugee_fundraiser/
Last Updated 29 March 2022
