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Local members of the Banbridge Lions will be collecting for Habitat Ireland in Banbridge town centre this October.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine back in February 2022, Habitat for Humanity have served tens of thousands of people through a range of interventions.
From emergency travel kits with items such as blankets and hygiene products to rental assistance and hotel vouchers, Habitat has been supporting refugees from Ukraine to have a safe place to stay in Romania, Poland and Hungary. The organisation had also refurbished vacant buildings and spaces, providing upgrades to collective shelters to house larger numbers of refugees.
Most recently support from across Ireland has sponsored the manufacture of more than 500 stoves in Kyiv which have brought warmth, somewhere to cook a bowl of soup and hope in the darkness of war. Just £100 could buy a stove, to keep families warm as they face into another uncertain winter. The Banbridge Lions have chosen to hold a street collection to make a practical difference for families struggling to survive in the tragedy of war.
Lions president Peter Fairbairn said, “Banbridge Lions will be raising funds at October’s street collection for Habitat Ireland’s ‘Sponsor a Stove’ appeal, which is supporting families displaced by the war in Ukraine. When the war began in 2022, the Lions had a street collecton in Banbridge, raising £1,500 in the immediate aftermath of the violence. The club became aware of Habitat’s initiative through member Caroline Kirkwood who has volunteered with the charity since she retired 13 years ago. I would encourage anyone who sees the Lions members out collecting around Banbridge in October, to make a donation for this worthy cause.”
Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat Ireland, said, “We are so thankful that Banbridge Lions have chosen to support Habitat’s stove appeal and hopeful for a great response from the community in Banbridge. The on-going conflict has destroyed Ukraine’s infrastructure, decimated businesses and levelled homes as families fled for their lives, taking little or nothing with them, desperate for stability and safety. Stoves deliver warmth and hope; a reminder that people care enough to help.’
The Lions members will be collecting on Saturday 12th October in Banbridge town centre.
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