TWO charities are asking people to form a human chain on Boscombe beach to show their support for Ukraine this weekend.
The founders of Charities WOSP Bournemouth and Dorset Polish Centre are inviting people to Boscombe beach for 12noon tomorrow (Saturday), where they will link hands to show unity for Ukraine.
The event has been described as an opportunity for ‘symbolic gesture’ and will give Dorset residents a chance to show their support to the people of Ukraine.
Read more: Volunteers flood Castlepoint to help package donations for Ukraine
The founder of WOSP Bournemouth and trustee of Dorset Polish Centre said: “We wanted to make this event to raise awareness about the problem and to show that we don’t agree with this war.”
Both organisations had already been collecting donations for Ukraine and have worked closely with Karol Swiacki who set up the Bournemouth to Ukraine Facebook page, which encouraged an influx of donations from Dorset residents.
Great support has been received from the Dorset community and the charities also have backing from the Bournemouth festival World of Love.
The founder and trustee said: “We started by collecting items to send (to Ukraine) like a lot of the other local activists, but we wanted to do more.
“People within the charities wanted us to help. They started asking us if we could organise something.”
Read more: We're FULL: Castlepoint warehouse for Ukraine collections closed today
The Facebook event has gathered attention and many Dorset residents have already confirmed their attendance. Representatives from the BCP council will also be present.
Organisers are unsure what to expect on Saturday, adding: “It’s hard to say how many people will come but it may be anything from 50-500 people, but we will keep sharing it around Facebook for the next few days.”
People joining the event are invited to wear blue and yellow face paint and carry Ukrainian flags.
The founders hope that the gesture will encourage people to think about those affected by the crisis.
Their spokesperson said: “We can’t go to Ukraine to fight but there are things we can do here.”
Actions in support of Ukraine will be continuing throughout the weekend, with a peace demonstration due to take place on Sunday in Bournemouth at 12noon.
Organisers of the Sunday event have asked the community to gather in the Square to further show their unity.
The events taking place across the weekend have been described as a way of showing that Putin’s war crimes will not be accepted.
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