Asda Kilkeel makes donation to support Ukrainian Refugees
Asda Kilkeel Community Champion Stephanie Rogers made a presentation to Kilkeel Charitable Trust for £1500 the Ukrainian refugee appeal.
The Empowering Local Communities Grant was donated to the trust by the Asda Foundation. After the recent conflict began in Ukraine, the Asda Foundation set up the grant scheme to support groups as they help individuals and families settle into their new surroundings and enable them to thrive in their new communities.
The Kilkeel Charitable Trust is based at the Nautilus Centre in Kilkeel Harbour and is part of the Kilkeel Development Association (KDA). CEO Donna McConnell has been working with local businesswoman Sylwia Menzyk of Floresco Flower Co, and Alan Knox, President of Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce and Asda Community Champion Stephanie Rogers to fundraise and send aid to Ukraine, as well as provide support for refugees in the Mourne region.
Asda Community Champion Stephanie said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Kilkeel Charitable Trust. It is amazing to see the Kilkeel community pulling together to help the Ukrainian appeal. I am very proud of our town and the warm welcome that these families will receive.”
Kilkeel Development Association CEO Donna McConnell said: “We are so very grateful to the Asda Foundation and especially Stephanie for the generous support. This £1500 donation will go a long way in helping us support families settling in the area and allow us to really help the families however they need.”
Warrenpoint resident Margaret Haughian and her family sponsored a family from Kyiv, who they welcomed to Kilkeel on the 11th of May. The Ivanets have three children and the Haughians have been helping the family to settle into the area.
Margaret said: “When we saw the news in March, we knew we had to do something. We are so happy to be able to help the Ivanets who have become like family to us. Thanks to the efforts of Asda and the KDA, we can really make a difference to the lives of these refugees.”
