Amidst the tragedy and pain of the invasion currently raging through Ukraine, the business owners of Church Street in Twickenham have put up a beautiful array of Ukrainian flags in support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people during this difficult time. Along with this Prosperity Café, a Ukrainian-themed restaurant also located in Twickenham, has been collecting donations around the clock to be sent to those affected by Russia’s invasion.

The aptly named cafe, located on York Street in Twickenham, has recently become a hub for humanitarian aid; it has been collecting supplies of food, hygiene items and medical equipment from donors across South-West London. These essential items are then transported to the Polish border and given to refugees who have fled Ukraine. However volunteers hope to be able to get their supplies from Poland to Lviv which is about 40 miles from the Polish-Ukraine border. This would mean that the support would be able to reach a lot more Ukrainians who have fled the fighting and haven’t been able to make it all the way to Poland.

Not only have the incredible volunteers been accepting and sending off donations, the restaurant itself has opened up a special lunchtime menu where all of the proceeds will be sent to those in need. In an amazing show of community and solidarity, businesses and restaurants on Church Street have been covered in an eye-catching array of Ukrainian flags above almost every building. Volunteers have told locals wanting to help that the best way they can do this is by donating non perishable goods, hygiene products (such as nappies and feminine hygiene items), sleeping bags and electronic devices (such as phone chargers and batteries). If it is not possible to donate in person, those looking to help should donate to Ukraine support charities.

These immense acts of kindness and generosity from those at Prosperity Café show that sometimes, in the darkest times, there can be light found from those around us. Hopefully the volunteers inspire more and more people in the local area to do what they can to support the people of Ukraine during this troubling time.