A CHRISTCHURCH resident has created a ‘stand with Ukraine’ poster that he hopes can be displayed in shop windows and homes across Dorset.
Matthew Houghton has created a flag inspired graphic can be printed off by those wanting to show their support for Ukraine.
Matthew, 53, said: “It’s important for MPs to see a sea of yellow and blue, so they have no choice but to clamp down.”
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He was fuelled to help after his own experience four years ago which saw him in Salisbury on the day of the poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.
He said: “I took my wife for a birthday meal in Salisbury. On the way back to the car I saw two people sat on a bench: an older man who had his hands on his knees and staring into space, making a low groan, and a younger girl slumped beside him. I spent a couple of minutes trying to work out what was wrong with them.
“But to my shame, I carried on back to the car. I kept looking back and after a couple of minutes I saw a younger couple, who I believe were medics, phone it in.
“I kick myself.”
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After seeing Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, Matthew wanted to show his support.
He said: “When this happened, I thought I can’t not do anything.
“I saw an article come out of Russia that said there is very little support in Britain for Ukraine. That drove me insane.”
Matthew approached PP Printing in Christchurch to ask for their help in producing a graphic.
He said: “I wanted to create something that people have access to and can print off on their home computers to show visible support for Ukraine.
“(The graphic) is a simple design of the Ukraine flag combined with the rainbow as the international symbol of hope.
“People might say that a visible display of unity in Britain will do little. However, it will certainly put pressure on the bankers and lawyers in this country to stop aiding Putin’s associates.”
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Since its creation, the graphic has been displayed across shops in Christchurch and has also been used by the Castlepoint media team.
People wishing to download the graphic can visit the Bournemouth Echo website.
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