Rochdale's show of support for Ukraine

Members of Rochdale’s Ukrainian community joined councillors at the Lviv bridge in the town centre on 1st March in solidarity and support for Ukraine, following the ongoing invasion of the country by Russia.

The borough has lengthy links to Ukraine, and since 1992 has been twinned with the city of Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine.

On the tenth anniversary of the twinning, a bridge over the river Roch was named after the city. This historic bridge in front of Number One Riverside was lit in yellow and blue for the vigil.

Several members of the borough’s Ukrainian community listened as Rochdale Borough Council leader Neil Emmott spoke in support of Ukraine and its people. He thanked the crowd for their support and said we must never take for granted the freedoms we are fortunate to possess:

"My hope is that the action being taken across the world to thwart Russia’s and now Belarus’s unprovoked invasion and the incredible resolve of Ukrainian people will drive home the message that this unacceptable invasion must be halted and Putin’s army must go home for good."

"As we have done in the past when other atrocities have been committed, we remind the world that the whole borough of Rochdale stands shoulder to shoulder with you."

The evening concluded with the singing of a national song of Ukraine.

Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Aasim Rashid recently wrote to his counterpart in Lviv, receiving a reply from the city's Bureau of Foreign Cooperation saying they 'really appreciated the support and readiness to help us in such hard times'.

Lviv officials said they were providing people who had fled their own cities in the east of the country with 'places to stay and vital supplies'.

The Ukrainian community in Rochdale is well established, with many residents' parents and grandparents coming to the UK as refugees after World War Two.

Many donation points have been set up throughout the borough - these are constantly being updated as they can quickly reach capacity so please check social media for further details.

Donations can also be made to the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal via gofundme.com, who are working with accredited Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services to those in need.