Brits and Ukrainians joined together last weekend to march across Reading on Saturday in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Marchers were young and old, from all across Ukraine and across Britain too to mark four years since Vladimir Putin first invaded the country on February 24, 2022.
The event was organised by the Ukrainian Community Centre in Sidmouth Street, Reading, where refugees gather to paint traditional Easter eggs, borrow Ukrainian books from the library, eat Ukrainian food and go absolutely bonkers during the Eurovision Song Contest – Ukrainians adore Eurovision.
Ukrainian people live all across Berkshire and work in diverse jobs including academics, teachers, members of the service industries, chefs and even one scientist with a local water company.
The marchers set off from the west end of Broad Street and marched all the way to the Maiwand Lion in The Forbury.
Teenage refugee Lisa, 17, is from Poltrana region of Ukraine, and has been living in Britain for three years since she was 14.
Lisa was in Reading marching with her countryfolk and with British supporters.
She said: “It’s been four years. It’s been so long. Wars and situations become old news.
“We need to remind people that it’s still going on.”
Mick Breslin, 64 comes from County Antrim but lives in Reading. He said: “Now more than ever, we don’t want to abandon the people of Ukraine.
“With all the distractions in the Middle East, the focus needs to stay on the Ukrainian people.
“There’s a ray of sunshine for Ukraine right now. This is a sad time, but there’s a ray of sunshine too.”
Reading’s MP Matt Rodda said: “I want to offer a message of support to the Ukrainian residents here. We continue to campaign for an end to the war on just terms.
Wokingham’s MP Clive Jones is in favour of building up Britain’s defence in preparation for a possible war with Russia.
He contrasted boats carrying migrants across the English channel with Russian tankers that sell Russian oil.
He said: “We are now seeing the Russian shadow fleet within a few miles the UK mainland.
“We know those ships are carrying Russian oil and the Russian oil is being sold to pay for the Russian War Machine.
“Those are the boats we should be stopping.”
