CHARITY EVENT AT BARTON ESTATE RAISES £6,000 FOR DISPLACED UKRAINIANS

A Bank Holiday Weekend reception held at Barton Manor in support of Ukrainian refugees has raised in excess of £6,000 for an East Cowes charity.

Hosted by Dawn and Alex Haig Thomas and organised in association with Medina Publishing and Bookshop of Cowes, the event on Saturday 30th April was attended by more than 140 islanders
and visitors from the mainland.

The evening included a piano recital by classically trained island musician Tom Nuckley who played 2 pieces composed by Kyiv–born composer Reinhold Glière. Volunteers, including 2 Ukrainian pupils from Ryde School, served canapés with a Ukrainian twist and award–winning wine from Moldova.

Article continues below this advertisement

Victoria Dunford, the founder and CEO of East Cowes-based Medical Aid Delivered (MADAid), explained the work of the charity, which she set up when she moved to the Island in 2006. In 2017
she received the British Empire Medal and was the first Moldovan to receive a medal from the Queen.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, MADAid has sent 13 trucks of medical equipment, food and bedding from the Isle of Wight to Moldova and into Ukraine across the border.

Historian Stephan Roman, the author of Isle and Empires: Romanov Russia, Britain and the Isle of Wight, published by Medina Publishing, also addressed the guests. He told the story of his grandparents who 100 years previously had fled Ukraine into Moldova to escape the onslaught of Russian Bolsheviks and later settled in England. He saluted the bravery of the Ukrainian people who are today fighting for their freedom and liberty adding that many Russians are also opposing Putin’s war in Ukraine and that their courage should not be overlooked.

Roman recalled that Barton Manor had been the place where the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his family had met with King Edward VII in 1909 and set the seal on a new era of partnership and peace between Britain and Russia which lasted till the revolution of 1917.

MADAid plans to use the funds raised at the event to buy fridges, microwaves and washing machines for the refugees now living in the MADI–aid Phoenix Centre in neighbouring Moldova.

Article continues below this advertisement