Cllr Rachel Eden, mayor of Reading, has called for financial donations to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre as they support people caught in the conflict.
Cllr Eden held direct discussions with the representatives of the community centre, and is now appealing for financial donations to help the centre as it prepares for the arrival of refugees in Reading.
She said: “The generosity of people in Reading has once again shone through in recent weeks, which is absolutely no surprise.
“The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has been quite taken aback by the sheer scale of physical donations, so much so that they had to temporarily ask people to stop bringing items.”
Cllr Eden explained that shipments of donated items are becoming more difficult and dangerous to deliver.
This means that financial donations allow support groups to be more flexible in how they provide aid.
The appeal was announced as Reading Borough Council prepares for its meeting regarding its response to the crisis on Tuesday, March 22.
Council leader Cllr Jason Brock set out the council’s agenda for the meeting, which includes numerous motions intended to provide support to refugees.
The council will discuss the formal condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine, the ear-marking of £25,000 to support organisations who help refugees, and an application for council of sanctuary status.
Cllr Brock said: “In the short term, the best way Reading can help is to make a financial donation via the mayoral appeal.
“The money will be put to valuable use by the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre.
“Reading has always gone above and beyond in providing support for people who are seeking refuge from conflict, and we will again in terms of providing a home for refugees from Ukraine.”
Cllr Eden said that Reading stands ready to welcome people.
“We are a City of Sanctuary not only in name, but in our actions.”
The council meeting on Tuesday, March 22, will also seek to work with the RUCC, who they thank for the leadership the centre has shown during the crisis.
“Reading stands with Ukraine now and in the difficult months to come.”
Donations to the Mayoral Appeal can be made by visiting: www.reading.gov.uk
