Solidarity vigils to be held across Cheshire West and Chester for people of Ukraine – Chester and District Standard

VIGILS are to be held across Cheshire West and Chester this Friday in solidarity with the Ukrainian people against the invasion by Vladimir Putins Russia.

The vigils will be held in Chester Town Hall Square, Civic Square in Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford.

All events will be held simultaneously at 5.30pm and are open to everyone.

Chester MP Chris Matheson, who will help host the Chester vigil, said: This is an event for people from Chester to come together, to show our support for democracy and our opposition to Putins brutal dictatorship.

It will also be a symbol of support for the brave Russian people who are defying Putin with demonstrations of their own.

This invasion is an unprovoked and unjustifiable violation of international law. We must stand in complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people and as the humanitarian crisis unfolds, we must do what we can to support them.

People are invited to gather at each vigil from 5.15pm.

For the Chester vigil, there will be a small number of speeches, including from Chris Matheson, Mike Johnson from Chesters City of Sanctuary group and members of the clergy from Chester Cathedral, who will lead a short period of reflection and prayer, for people of all religions and none, all starting at 5.30pm.

The Ellesmere Port vigil will take place with Town Mayor Cllr Lisa Denson in attendance.

Cllr Denson said: This vigil is an opportunity for people in our town to come together and show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

From 5.30pm, there will be some short speeches from myself and [Ellesmere Port MP] Justin Madders, followed by a moments silence that we will share with other vigils in towns across our borough.

Attendees are reminded of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and are advised to take a lateral flow test before attending. The event is expected to finish around 6pm.

The vigils come after Chester Town Hall, the Eastgate Clock, Newgate and Storyhouse were illuminated last Friday as a show of solidarity for those affected by the Russian invasion.

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Louise Gittins said: We stand in solidarity with those in our community with links to Ukraine and other sovereign nations in the region and offer our unreserved support during this disturbing time.

Im urging everyone in our borough to be kind and look out for each other those affected may be your neighbours, friends or work colleagues.

The SHARE charity is accepting humanitarian supply donations today and tomorrow (March 2-3) for Ukrainian refugees at the Poland-Ukraine border.

Items needed include baby and chilrens clothing, nappies, medical supplies, childrens toys such as teddies, blankets, school supplies, toiletries such as shampoo, toothbrushes and sanitary towels, emergency foil blankets and sleeping bags.

Donations can be dropped off at St Francis Church, Grosvenor Street, between 10am-2pm, at the SHARE shop on Northgate Street or at Dandys Top Soil, Yew Tree Farm, Sealand Road. Please label donations with UKRAINE.

For more information, visit https://shareaid.co.uk/blogs/news/ukraine-refugee-appeal

See more here:

Solidarity vigils to be held across Cheshire West and Chester for people of Ukraine - Chester and District Standard