3rd. October 2022.
Report on the activities to date on the use of the Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Grant in support of Ukraine by the 4 Rotary
clubs in Wolverhampton.
The 4 Wolverhampton clubs decided to work together and a subgroup was formed in order to apply for and manage the Rotary Foundation Grant in support of Ukrainian refugees arriving in the area.
The clubs are: Bilston and Wolverhampton West (represented by Bob Stolz,) Wednesfield (Stan Jukes,) Tettenhall (Chris Krausher) and The City of Wolverhampton (PDG Richard Green.)
An application for £4000, being £1000 for each club, was submitted on the 18th of June 2022 and we were notified that the application had been successful on the 19th.
In Wolverhampton, there is a vibrant branch of the Association of Ukrainians in the UK that meets at the ‘Razom’ centre (a Ukrainian word that means ‘together’) opposite the Ukrainian Church in Lower Merridale Street in the city. The Association was already well known to Chris Krausher.
We were thus able to make speedy contact with Ukrainian refugee families through the Association. A comprehensive list of requirements within the criteria for the grant was made available to us. The list was divided, broadly, into the headings:
1) Clothing and footwear.
2) School uniforms.
3) Babies and children’s requirements.
4) Food, hygiene and toiletries.
5) Educational and cultural needs.
There were 2 other categories which either fell outside the scope of the grant or we felt unable to respond to. (eg translation services etc.)
It was decided to apportion the list between the clubs as follows: 1 and 2 – Tettenhall and The City of Wolverhampton, 3 and 4- Wednesfield, 5 Bilston and Wolverhampton West.
Bob Stolz, with commendable speed, placed his total order on Amazon the day after the grant money was received and a handover ceremony was held, with the Mayor in attendance at the centre on the 22nd of July. The items included whiteboards, a projector, writing materials,a printer etc.
At the time of this report the other lists are about 50% complete, with ‘hands on’ shopping being carried out, as we get to find out about clothing, shoe sizes etc.
A full record of receipts is being kept and photgraphs taken for submission with the final report.
PDG Richard Green, on behalf of the 4 Wolverhampton clubs.