Following the launch of the 2022 appeal, the Hibs Community Foundation (HCF) are visiting the beneficiaries ahead of Christmas Day where lunch will be served or delivered to community members most in need.
After partnering with Dnipro Kids and working alongside AUGB, the Community Foundation has been working hard to ensure that a number of the Ukrainian refugees that are currently housed on MS Victoria in Leith Port are able to enjoy the festivities, albeit in uncertain circumstances due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland.
To do this, a number of those refugees will be joining the HCF for Christmas Lunch, alongside taking part in some special events for the children.
That starts this Sunday (18 December) with 150 Ukrainian children coming to the HCF Community Hub as part of the St Nicholas celebrations. On Saturday 7 January, 200 Ukrainian community members will also be coming to Easter Road for a traditional meal. Lastly, we will run a 12-week Ukrainian Lunch Club at Easter Road after receiving funding from the SPFL Trust Winter Fund.
After hearing about the work the Hibs Community Foundation is doing with the Ukrainian refugees, Udryts'k-born Mykola Kuharevich was incredibly keen to go meet those that had to flee their country.
Alongside Poznan-born Kevin Dąbrowski and our Manager Lee Johnson, the trio spent time chatting with the people on the boat, putting smiles on faces, posing for photos and handing out a variety of different Christmas gifts to those on board.
Both Mykola and Kevin stopped for a kickabout with the youngsters and shared their best tips on how to become a professional footballer!
This visit was really important, though, for Mykola, who like many others are getting updates on the conflict from afar.
“This is a very difficult time for Ukraine,” said the striker. “Every day we fight for our freedom, and now it is very important to support and help Ukrainians, and I am glad that the Club is doing this.
“I really want it all to end as soon as possible, and we could just live a normal and calm life and not worry about what could happen at any moment.”
Being able to converse and relate to the people from his home country was really special for Mykola, who was an extremely popular figure with both the children and adults on the boat.
Several of the youngsters - many of whom were wearing Hibs scarves and hats - were delighted to meet Mykola in the flesh having already watched him score for Hibs this season, after they were invited to watch a match at Easter Road by the Hibernian Community Foundation.
“It was a very nice feeling, I haven't been to Ukraine for a long time, so it was nice to even just meet Ukrainians, talk with them, play with the children and give some gifts, they were happy to see me, so I'm glad that we gave some good emotions for them.”
This is just one part of the Hibernian Community Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, as they continue to support North East Edinburgh Foodbank, the Salvation Army and many other local community groups and charities, inviting families, elderly people and anyone who may like a bit of Hibee company on Christmas Day.
To find out more about the Christmas Appeal, please CLICK HERE.
There’s also a special auction, so to bid for money-can’t-buy prizes, CLICK HERE!
Unfortunately, due to government guidelines, we were unable to film or take photos on the boat - although the children and their parents didn't hesitate to get selfies, autographs, chocolates and toys from Myko, Kev and Lee.
There was opportunity at the end of the evening for a quick photo on the boarding ramp of the ship (see above).
