Chat2Us helps refugees from Ukraine
THE local group of Chat2Us held a successful open day and craft sale in support of refugees from Ukraine on Monday (March 28) as the invasion from Russia reached its second month, which showed that communities can rally round to support the less fortunate when needed.
With sunflowers joining blue and gold balloons outside the venue, The Henry Cook Centre Waterside Church in South Street, Gosport offered a warm welcome and plenty of chat was the order of the day. Members and visitors enjoyed refreshments and were also invited to join in the gentle exercise class which is a feature of some of the group’s meetings.
All the proceeds from items sold and a raffle bring the group’s total financial contribution, so far, to £508. From this £250 was sent through NatWest for match funding and the balance brings the cash donation, so far, to £258 to Jacobs Well Care Centre, Toronto Place Gosport; who have further set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the fuel and expenses involved in despatching the next articulated lorry of relief supplies to Rumania for the Ukrainian refugees there.
The three knitted Comfort Bears in the photo have gone to join the previous donation of a dozen teddies sent to ‘Packs of Love for Ukraine ‘(see their Facebook page for full details). Collection points locally are Giddy Goat Yarns, 1 High Street, Gosport (opposite the Discovery Centre Gosport) and Solent Sports Injury Clinic 170, Portsmouth Road, Lee on the Solent.
Chat2Us is a small local voluntary group which offers assistance and support with form filling and dealing with bureaucracy etc on a one-to-one confidential basis. They also have a social and craft group meeting on Mondays from 11am to 1pm. On the 3rd Monday of each month this includes a buffet lunch.
These events take place at The Henry Cook Centre, Waterside Community Church, South Street Gosport , entrance is from the rear of the church on Coates Rd. For more information contact 07450028410, visit the Chat2Us Gosport Facebook page or website www.chatconfidential.org.
PICTURED: Comfort bears that have been sent to ‘Packs of Love for Ukraine’ project
