AROUND 200 people gathered at Appleshaw village hall on Sunday (June 12) for a ‘Ukrainian Day’ to celebrate the successful integration of dozens of refugees into the Test Valley community.

There was music, dancing, crafts and food, as Ukrainian, English, Polish , Bulgarian people, among others shared in the Ukrainian culture.

Everybody who helped in the appeals to send lorries with donations , host refugee families, sponsorship, or support the effort in any way since Russia’s invasion in February was invited along. 

The fundraising appeal was launched by Ukrainian national Olga Kott, who lives in Appleshaw with her husband and two young children.
 

She said: “We had such a lovely and warm atmosphere. 

“About 200 people attended, and left with smiles on their faces!”

Olga, 38, launched the appeal in March as she watched the horrors faced in her home country, including for her family in the city of Zaporizhzhya in south-east Ukraine.

SEE ALSO: Andover mother who has raised £15k since war began reunited with Ukrainian goddaughter

More than £15,000 worth of essential items were delivered to the country, and support was also given through the campaign to help refugees settle safely in the UK.

In April, the business owner was reunited with her goddaughter and her university friend, as they travelled through Poland to arrive safely in Test Valley.

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