Schools come together to support Ukraine

On Monday afternoon, the headteacher of St Helen’s RC School in Caerphilly sent out a message to parents and pupils asking for donations to help the people fleeing Ukraine.

Ms Sophie Sanchez said she was “overwhelmed” by the response – with hundreds of pupils bringing in donations.

Items such as painkillers, antiseptic wipes, bandages, nappies, toothpaste, female hygiene products, batteries, flashlights, long-life milk, new bedding and more all being donated.

The donations were all collected on Tuesday, before being taken to Newport, where they were sorted. From there, the donations would be taken to London before heading to Poland – where thousands of Ukrainians have fled to escape Vladimir Putin’s invasion of their country.

Ms Sanchez said a “huge amount” had been donated – taking nine people more than an hour to pack.

“It shows that people care and want to do something.

“We have a large Polish community within the school and everyone wanted to help in some way.

“It’s a great representation of our community.

“During Covid, we weren’t able to get together to do much, so it’s overwhelming to see the school so united in its response.”

Elsewhere in Caerphilly, pupils at St Martin’s School held a cake sale to raise much-needed funds for the humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Ukraine.

Pupils also sold ribbons in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and held a non-uniform day as part of their fundraising efforts – generating more than £700 so far.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has announced it will be sending £4m in aid to help Ukrainians.

Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt said this funding will be donated to the Disaster Emergency Committee, which represents 15 major aid charities.

Wales’ Local Government and Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans, has also met with the Welsh Local Government Association, council leaders and third sector organisations to discuss accepting refugees from the conflict.

The British Red Cross has launched an appeal to raise money to support the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. To make a donation, visit redcross.org.uk/get-involved/donate