May 2025

I want to talk about kindness – little acts of kindness that mean such a lot and we have an abundance of it within our plurality. For those of you not on the Inspirations WhatsApp group (and if you want to be included please let me know), I shared a post that I had been sent from Andrew Wooler – one of the Uckfield Concert Brass players who, since around 2022 ish has been making monthly journeys to Ukraine. Around that time, I was clearing out some unneeded PPE – some extra small gloves and put them on Marketplace free. Andrew responded with the information that he needed all supplies as such to go to the hospitals in Kyiv. That was just a small beginning which has escalated as he has responded to requests for various suppliers and obviously he is picking up various needs and organizations that need support in Ukraine as he goes.

One of these is an orphanage right in the middle of Ukraine in the Kirovohrad region called the Znamensky Orphanage – a permanent residence for 150 children from the age of 4 to 18 with disabilities including physical, mental and intellectual development issues. It also has a youth wing where selected individuals can live up the age of 35. Over 80% of these children need 24 hour incontinence help and no matter how much funding they get, it is never enough to keep up with need. Some of the children there were moved to it following the destruction of their orphanage in the Donetsk Region by the Russians. Their emphasis is on teaching some life skills, aiming to get the kids to reach potential in becoming self caring where possible. Andrew reports that every time he visits he is assailed by entering a very happy environment with truly committed and enthusiastic staff.

Well, this is where the kindness come in. Very Chatty Café have taken this need on board as have many of our congregation on the Inspirations site. Suddenly last week, everywhere I looked were packs of nappies – so if you wondered why we were awash – this is the reason. Cuckfield Church has also responded as well as Sunninghill Construction but there is no limit to what is needed. If you can help our mission in helping these kids please say so. Any continence stuff including adult sizes – pads, pull ups., nappies, wipes, skin care items – are all vitally important . Nappies have to be in the larger sizes please as their minimum age is 4 years old.

Andrew is a quiet inspiration in himself. He selflessly often funds some of these trips out of his own funds. He makes various stop offs on his trips which last about 7-10 days. The van he uses was purchased by himself. Each trip costs about £1000 and he next leaves probably later May.

Other items he is always interested in taking includes camping equipment, men’s clothing inc flip flops, used vapes, laptops and working mobile phones, medical equipment including medical dressings. Some bedding (but I think the other stuff takes president on a road trip). Trips include visits to hospitals, animal rescue shelters, front line venues to supply troops, the orphanage, some church venues and wherever else he is needed. Definitely not a trip for the faint hearted and not full of luxury hotels….lol.

So now you know why Holy Cross is becoming a nappy centre!!!!! It is my ambition once peace reigns there to accompany Andrew to go to the Orphanage for myself.
There’s not much more I can talk about here!!! It all seems so needless in comparison and pales into insignificance. Your kindnesses have moved me to tears. We live in an amazing community.

I want to also thank you all for your support during my Lent Challenge. I raised over £250 for our finances which all helps our outreach.
That’s it. With love and thank you all so much for your amazing response.
Love Dee