Six Ukrainian ex-patriot organisations in Yorkshire have received a significant boost for their programmes to assist Ukrainian refugees, who are settling in Yorkshire, with a £40,000 donation from the Freemasons’ West Riding Masonic Community Fund.
The Masonic funding has been shared between the following organisations:
- The Harrogate District of Sanctuary Group.
- Association of Ukrainians in GB, Leeds Branch
- Huddersfield Ukrainian Club
- Association of Ukrainians in GB, Sheffield Branch
- Association of Ukrainians in GB, Bradford Branch
- Ukrainians in Calderdale Ltd.
James Newman OBE, Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons’ Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, said: “The plight of people, who have been forced to flee from Ukraine to escape the war that is raging in their country, has touched the hearts of everybody in our country.
“I am incredibly proud that the generosity of Freemasons both nationally and from Lodges from across Yorkshire will enable the organisations, who are helping the refugees to settle in Yorkshire, to tackle the challenges facing them.”
Olga Callaghan, Chair of the Association of Ukrainians GB, Leeds Branch, said: “We have never had so much money given to us before and it has made an amazing difference to what we are trying to do for the refugees in Leeds.
“When we first received the money, we took our time in deciding how it would be best spent for the benefit of the refugees. It was a new experience for us having that much money available to spend so we wanted to use it wisely.
“It enabled us to prioritise what we needed most and where we could find the most competitive prices.
“We have spent some of the money on freezers because they are really useful for us. Having them enabled us to prepare and keep Ukrainian-style meals and serve them when everybody from the Ukrainian community gathers on a Saturday morning. It has also helped us feed the children and their mothers.
“And that’s so important for people coming to Leeds from the Ukraine. It’s something they know and recognise and helps them feel more at home in West Yorkshire.”
“We are so grateful to the Freemasons for their generous donation.”
In addition to the above donations, the national Masonic Charity, the Masonic Charitable Foundation, has distributed over £1.1 million to various charities and organisations, at home and abroad, to support those affected by the war in Ukraine, mainly refugees and families, who have been separated because of the war. The Freemasons of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding contributed a further £40,000 towards this important support.
