Thank you again to all those constituents who have offered support to the people of Ukraine in so many ways. I know of a few refugees with family connections who have made it to Sussex already and over 10,000 have so far been through the now streamlined online visa process. Others without family connections will start to arrive over coming days and weeks and everyone who has registered their interest in taking a family online will have received an update last Friday, which I have copied on to my Facebook page.
It would be good to have an idea of who is in the constituency and where they are as it will be helpful to build a network of support to link various Ukraine families, new to the UK and without the obvious advantage of having family members already settled here. I know many local groups want to be able to lay on events to bring families together and show a warm and practical welcome so please do let me know.
It was particularly heartening to be able to join Councillor Kevin Boram, who chairs the County Council Fire Committee, to wave off the West Sussex fire crews who gathered at Shoreham fire station on Friday with local commander Roy Barraclough. They were about to drive out 4 fire pumps being donated to the Ukrainian emergency services as part of a larger convoy of over 20 vehicles which left Ashford for Poland over the weekend, packed with supplies.
These are vehicles which are now surplus to requirements, but which are still in good working order and will be very welcome in Ukraine. Not the most fuel-efficient vehicles the biggest cost will be the petrol to get them to the Ukraine border. I suggested that if they find themselves anywhere near Adur’s twin town of Zywiec in Poland they stop off for some refreshments at the town’s famous brewery, strictly for consumption after they have handed over responsibility the vehicles.
Later that day I joined over 300 students from Lancing College and other local schools for a COP21 Environmental Summit as part of their Sustainability Week. The EYE (Eco, Young & Engaged) Project was there is force with a stall and it is always inspiring to see the enthusiasm for environmental issues from young people, and at last to be able to engage with them face to face again.