Some of those who have fled their home country have now settled in Lancashire with the help of kind hearted locals. The gathering which started at 10am was led by the Chorley and District Support for Ukraine group and the Chorley Ukrainian Community Group, Kalyna - a group set up by three Ukrainian nationals who have lived in the UK for over 20 years.
Speakers at the event included Father Francis Ramsden, Julia Berry Mayor of Chorley and Olena Kovalenko of the Chorley Ukraine Community Group Kalyna.
Last Wednesday (February 22) marked the 100th open session at the 'Ukraine Unit' in Chorley which was founded by Chorley and District Support for Ukraine group. Group co-ordinator and volunteer Stuart Clewlow who received a flag from the country as a thank you, said: “The humanitarian response across Chorley and District to the crisis and need for support in Ukraine has been incredible. The initial purpose of the group was to organise all of the donations from across the borough of Chorley and get it out to Ukraine. I never imagined that it would snowball into what it’s become.”
1. St Thomas' gathering to mark one year since Ukraine invasion
Many gathered to remember the war Photo: Oksana Hrychak
2. St Thomas' gathering to mark one year since Ukraine invasion
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine back in March 2022 Chorley and District Support for Ukraine has been working tirelessly to sift and sort donations to be sent out to those in need Photo: Oksana Hrychak
3. St Thomas' gathering to mark one year since Ukraine invasion
A group of singers perform outside the town hall Photo: Oksana Hrychak
4. St Thomas' gathering to mark one year since Ukraine invasion
Standing in solidarity against war Photo: Oksana Hrychak