Sawbridgeworth support group backs emergency appeal by Felsted-based UK-AID charity to send food to war weary population of Ukraine

The community of Sawbridgeworth responded to an appeal to send aid to people in Ukraine as the population of the war-torn country struggles to survive under constant bombardment from their Russian invaders.

Members of the town’s Homes for Ukraine support group hosted a stall at Central Co-op in London Road on Saturday (April 19) and collected tinned and dried food and cooking oil.

The emergency appeal was launched by Felsted-based UK-AID, which said the situation in Ukraine was worsening.

“On our last visit a couple of weeks ago we sensed that some people are beginning to lose hope; their strength being severely tested by the constant bombardment day in and day out,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

“Now, more than ever, farmers are finding it harder to grow their crops of wheat and vegetables due to a combination of overhead bombing and their fields being mined. Food is becoming scarce and, when available, ever more expensive.”

Despite Russian president Vladimir Putin announcing a 30-hour truce in the three-year conflict over Easter, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy branded it bogus, accusing Putin’s forces of breaking it 2,000 times.

Another collection will be held at Central Co-op on Saturday May 3, from 10am until 2pm.

David Royle, co-founder of the Sawbridgeworth support group, thanked Co-op manager Mark Cox for his help. Greg Rattey’s Toplines hair salon in Bell Street is also a collection point for the food items, which include baby food and milk powder.

UK-AID will return to Ukraine at the end of May to deliver the emergency supplies.