The Princess of Wales has sent a kind message of support to people in Ukraine saying ‘we are all thinking of you’.
She wrote the message on a parcel filled with food, clothes and toiletries for those impacted by the war during a visit to a centre in Bracknell, Berkshire, that provides support to people settled in the area from Ukraine.
Kate’s visit coincided with the first anniversary anniversary of the Vsi Razom Community Hub opening, which was set up by Ukrainian Natalia Vil and Ashleigh Toomey from the UK.
Kate made a Ukrainian ribbon brooch, helped a little girl complete some artwork and chatted to a Ukrainian psychologist, Tetiana Sverdlova, who provides support to people back in Ukraine.
She asked ‘is there a technique?’ and was advised to put the heaviest items at the bottom of the box.
Kate also joined three-year-old Sofiya Ovchinnik, the daughter of Natalia, and helped her complete a collage of paper flowers.
She also chatted to eight-year-old Liza, who is the daughter of Tetiana, and talked to her about music, telling her: ‘I heard my daughter singing…it was a song called Shine Jesus Shine, that made me very happy this morning,’ and the schoolgirl replied she knew the song.
When she was told many Ukrainians help at the centre, she said: ‘It must feel good for them to be able to do something for the people back home.’
Kate was invited to add her handprint to a painting of a tree that marked the first anniversary of the invasion after putting a disposable glove on her right hand.
She lighted the mood by saying: ‘I’ve never done a handprint with a glove on. It will be a bit cleaner, normally the children end up putting paint everywhere.’
After making her Ukrainian ribbon brooch, Kate joked: ‘I’m not sure you’re going to be able to sell this one.’
Natalia co-founded the centre after collecting a large amount of donations for Ukraine which were transported in vehicles provided by Ashleigh, from Bracknell, and the women went on to create a permanent hub of support.
Following Kate’s visit Natalia said: ‘It’s really good to see we are noticed by the royal family. I hope it will lead to us getting support from other businesses – we want to go further.’
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