It was a typical Saturday afternoon in Utkinton, but very untypical at the same time, At 1pm residents and friends began to gather in the Village Hall for an event hosted by the WI with a difference – to raise funds for Ukraine. In five seemingly short days, this had gone from an idea to reality. The WI baked cakes, donors brought items to raffle and lots of ‘bits and bobs’ for distribution to those more needy than ourselves.

Attendance was by donation and the refreshments came free of charge, our Ward Councillor arrived with ribbons and safety pins and by the end of the event everyone was resplendent with a yellow and blue ribbon.

As people arrived, the donation bucket was well used. It would be incongruous to say how much was raised but suffice it to say that the cash donations would be matched by the Village Hall Committee.

So THANK YOU to all who came, donated, chatted and helped. It confirmed how generous we can be.