Congleton Nub News were among the guests at Wednesday evenings Ukraine fundraising dinner at The Plough Inn.

The Eaton pub offered to host a celebration for Ukrainian guests, hosts and supporters for Ukraine's Independence Day.

Guests enjoyed a two course meal, Ukrainian vodka and a rousing performance from Congleton Uke Players.

74 people attended, and raised £2000 through ticket tales alone.

One ukelele player wore a Ukrainian bowtie and Union Jack jacket. (Image - Vic Brown)

The money will be spent by Congleton Area Ukraine Support Network on English lessons for the 150 Ukrainians in and around Congleton.

But as not all will require the lessons, and they have already raised more than expected, this now means the volunteer-led support group can now add more activities to further the lives of our town's newest residents.  

IT worker and co-founder of Congleton Area Ukraine Support Network Paul Nixon was grateful to the people of Congleton for their support.

What this will do is enable us to do more than three months of training for our teachers on Saturday mornings," he said.

Congleton Area Ukraine Support Network's Paul Nixon. (Image - Vic Brown)

"And we are just about to add a fourth pillar to our English training programme. Which is to do one-to-one tutoring for people who really need help. Either if they are going to get a job or just feel confident enough to start conversing.

"So thanks to the amount we've raised we're able to recruit extra help than expected.

"English training is most important enabler. It enables jobs, it enables them to Integrate into community and allows them in turn to help our newly arrived Ukrainians."

There was also a tombola, with fancy bottles of wine up for grabs. The amount raised from this has not yet been calculated, but is expected to push the grand total to over £2100.

Much of the funds raised will go to English lessons for Congleton-based Ukrainians who struggled with English. (Image - Vic Brown)

The whopping amount raised by our town's most generous residents, means that CAUSN can afford more skills to help our town's Ukrainian guests to settle.

"The second pillar it allows us is to help find uniforms for schoolchildren," added Paul.

"We need to raise £4,500 currently to fund that. We've had a chunk of money from Congleton Rotary and have a local trust offering to support us. And we will raise that money and make sure we can support those families to get money for those children.

"The last thing we are able to support is a well-being programme where for £4 a child they can go to Glebe Farm to feed the animals and see birds of play.

Generous Manager of The Plough Inn Chris Thyer (left) ensured meals for Ukrainians were delivered at cost only. (Image - Vic Brown)

"If you think about the time for kids and parents to relax, the well-being costs for £4 each is huge value for money.

"We've previously offered painting afternoons, pottery sessions, a trip to Liverpool, and guided walks with a spot to do fishing.

"There's a whole range of wonderful things they can do. Rather than providing a chunk of stuff we are able to produce actual one-to-one support and that is down to the wider group of people who are here. The biggest thank you is to you.

"The journey we have been on is not one we expected to go on six months ago. Every time I visit new host I come away smiling. The generousness, the positivity, the care has just been amazing. So thank you Congleton."

The meal marked Ukraine's Independence Day, but also unfortunately coincided with the sixth month anniversary of the invasion. (Image - Vic Brown)

If you want to help out at Congleton Area Ukraine Support Network, please head to their website.

See Also: Why this pub is hosting a fundraising meal to support the Ukrainian people of Congleton

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