Swindon Humanitarian Aid Project (SHAP) Update and Upcoming Concert

The volunteers at The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership continue to find new ways to support Ukraine and Ukrainians living in and around Swindon.

We were delighted and proud to unveil our Children’s Story Bus to local dignitaries and the media. BBC TV and radio were present to hear SHAP Chair Mike Bowden thank all those that had made the project possible: Lord Tony Berkeley, Heidi Alexander and Leon Daniels for the initial contact with the bus industry; Gavin Smith at Go-East Anglia for donating the bus; Arend Von Freeden for removing all the seats and constructing tables and cupboards. Our many volunteers for collecting teddy bears, books and toys for the children to enjoy. And most particularly Billy Beaumont, the local artist who designed and painted the stunning mural on the inside of the bus.
The bus is due to be driven to Calais in the coming days where it will be handed over to Ukrainian colleagues to drive across Europe to begin its work at schools and community centres.

In the last month two 40’ articulated trucks have left our warehouse in Swindon packed with hygiene products, wheelchairs, trench candles, bedding, medicines, walking aids, food and much more. The recipients in Ukraine send photos back to us showing the aid being distributed around the country to ordinary everyday people -who through no fault of their own find themselves in a war zone.  Our volunteers need little in the way of motivation but such photos serve to reinforce the fact that their efforts are making a real difference to people back home.

Ukrainians love culture and we were fortunate in Swindon to once again welcome The Ukrainian National Opera Company to the Wyvern Theatre. SHAP were delighted to be offered a block of discounted tickets for the performance of Madam Butterfly on the 11th February. A packed house was treated to an outstanding performance and a rousing version of the Ukrainian national anthem at the end of the evening that was greeted with deafening cheers from the audience.

Very sadly the 24th February is the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and SHAP, in partnership with The Swindon Concert Band, is marking this important and sombre moment with a concert at Christ Church in Old Town at 7:30pm.  It would be fitting to fill the church to show Swindon’s unwavering support for our Ukrainian friends.

To find out more and buy tickets visit:

https://ccccswindon.co.uk/events/17/details

or email: tickets@swindonconcertband.co.uk