A commemorative event was held to remember the fallen and raise money for soldiers on the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

The event, organised by North Yorkshire charity Helping Heart, took place at the war memorial in  Friary Gardens in Richmond on Saturday (February 25) afternoon.

It saw many gather and lay flowers to honour those who have fallen as a result of Russia’s invasion.

The event saw speakers call on people from the UK and across Europe not to forget the war or those who have lost their lives, and issue a rallying cry to Ukrainians and the country’s allies to “stand strong” and “stay united.”

The Northern Echo: A commemorative event was held to remember the fallen and raise money for soldiers in Richmond onAfter the service had been held, many went to St Mary’s Church for a commemorative concert which saw performances from Ukrainian singers and dancers.

Alison Shepherd, who is the coordinator for Helping Heart North Yorkshire, said: “We had an event last year to mark the first anniversary of the invasion and I very much hoped that this was just going to be one of its kind.

“The war shows no signs of abating, it’s intensifying in many places. Many families still chose to stay behind and now the situation is becoming more dangerous that they are desperately seeking sponsors in the UK.

“There is a lack of sponsors. I’m hoping that by having this event, there may be some people who say ‘do you know what, I have a spare room, I’d be interested in finding out more about a sponsorship.’”

The Northern Echo: A commemorative event was held to remember the fallen and raise money for soldiers in Richmond on

She added the charity works to put Ukrainians in contact with sponsors, as well as provide clothing, food, and supplies for Ukrainian soldiers.

Oksana Sizenko-Scott, who has lived in the UK since before the war started with her husband, stressed the importance of raising money for supplies for Ukrainian soldiers – and added she is working towards providing thermal wear and other essentials to troops.

She says she and her team have been visiting a military base for nine months to support soldiers by talking to them, giving them traditional Ukrainian food, and listening to them.

She said: “In a team, united, I think we can win.

“Different people react to [the war] differently, some people hide when they experience problems, they don’t want any tears, they don’t want any talks at all.

The Northern Echo: A commemorative event was held to remember the fallen and raise money for soldiers in Richmond on

“This is my life for now, in the morning, at breakfast or going somewhere with my husband, we talk about the aid, about the support.

“What we can do, what we can improve, what we can buy, how can we make their life easier? For some people, it’s extremely important to be part of a community.”

She added she understands why people are frightened and wish to ignore it, but has called on Ukrainians in the area to unite and said her door is always open to anyone who wants to talk.

She was joined by Helping Heart North Yorkshire coordinator Alison Shepherd, and her fellow team member Roman Pronyszyn.

Snow, 35, who moved to England in 2023, said she was grateful for the support shown to Ukraine – and stressed the importance of not forgetting about the war in Ukraine.

She said: “We appreciate all of the people who have supported us.

The Northern Echo: A commemorative event was held to remember the fallen and raise money for soldiers in Richmond on

“It’s very important for us that all of the world has not forgotten that Ukraine is at war. Every day, kids, women, and soldiers are dying.

“Every day, maybe this second as well. Many people are going hungry in Ukraine

“Yesterday I spoke with my friend, who had come back from the frontline, he told me terrible things, that many soldiers have died, many people who live there have died. Many kids are without their mother or their father.

“It’s terrible what [Russia] are doing. Our kids have seen war.”

She added that her father remains in the country and has chosen to stay because he believes in Ukraine’s independence.

Maria, 41, who has lived in the UK for three years and initially arrived on a sponsorship, said she has been met with support and friendliness since moving.

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She said: “We would like children to be safe, lots of families have been broken up.

“Life in Ukraine is dangerous. We would like children to be able to go back to school and be safe.

“In Ukraine, I can’t have this. Life in Ukraine is like a lottery. We don’t know what will happen in the next hour, in the next minutes because every day rockets come.”