Winchester Rotary has commended the generosity of city residents and business owners after raising thousands for Ukraine through two High Street appeals.
Members have been out on the High Street twice in recent weeks, collecting donations for the Ukraine appeal.
The first collection raised almost £4000, which was doubled by the club’s own funds and meant that £8000 was sent to the appeal set up by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.
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On Friday, April 1, a further collection took place and raised an additional £1,225. Winchester Rotary is now supporting the Polish Rotary Club of Lublin Centrum, 70 kilometres from the Ukraine border, where funds are needed to support the constant stream of refugees with shelter, food and medical supplies.
In addition to the street collections, Winchester Rotarian Miff Kayum, who runs the Bangkok Bistro and Kyoto Kitchen restaurants, has also enlisted the help of several independent businesses in the city, including: Piecaramba, Toscanaccio, James Jewellers, Arcana, Sarah Barrett and Cabinet Rooms.
All the businesses will be accepting donations at their premises by way of yellow collection boxes. Customer donations made in Bangkok Bistro and Kyoto Kitchen will be matched by the restaurants.
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Miff said: “The compassion shown by all the sectors of our community and especially our vibrant independent business sector is really commendable. Through supporting this Rotary initiative, we can ensure that the funds raised will 100 per cent go to helping those in need.”
Independent businesses who would like to host a collection box can obtain one by emailing: media@winchester-rotary.org
Online donations can also be made here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/19995
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