Community
PHOTOS People of Limerick band together to spread Christmas joy to Ukrainian families in Limerick
Ukraine Christmas in Limerick 2023 – Pictured above are refugees who have recently arrived in Ireland from the ongoing war in Ukraine
Ukraine Christmas in Limerick 20234 was organised by Anna Mazeika who has helped hundreds of Ukrainians enter Limerick since the beginning of the war
Just before Christmas in Limerick, a touching charity event took place. Santa Claus visited little refugees who have recently arrived in Ireland from the ongoing war in Ukraine and made stops to nine various locations around Limerick city and county. These children are going through a challenging time adapting to a new place where everyone speaks a different language, but they are safe, shielded from bomb attacks. Gifts for the children were prepared by Limerick residents with the support of two companies, Serosep and Teleflex, as well as assistance from the University of Limerick.
The initiator and main organiser of the collection is Polish-born Limerick lady Anna Mazeika, who, since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has been supporting refugees. In 2022, Anna and her sister Kamila Turzynska established the ‘Help for Ukraine’ campaign at the old Cleeves Factory site, which delivered two trucks of supplies to war-torn Ukraine and also opened a ‘zero-cost’ shop for Ukrainian refugees. Anna and her team have helped hundreds of Ukrainians enter Limerick since the beginning of the war.
Anna said, “It’s very hard to listen to the stories of those arriving here in Limerick. Their cities back home are destroyed, they have lost their houses and been separated from their families. It is very tragic.”
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Doras is a Limerick migrant and refugee support organisation and this year, volunteers collected gifts and prepared them at Doras to be transported to the location where the refugees are staying. For several evenings, Doras looked like Santa’s toy factory.
John Lannon, CEO of Doras commented, “I have urgent concern about government plans to limit humanitarian accommodation for people fleeing war in their home to just 90 days after arriving in Ireland, warning that there is “nowhere for them to go” after that. We know there is no affordable accommodation available in the rental market, and already there are 6,000 people with refugee status trying to leave Direct Provision but can’t because there is nowhere for them to go. These people have the same basic human rights as anyone else and deserve our love and support.”
The citizens and communities of Limerick have welcomed over thousands of Ukrainians to Limerick since March 2022. The Ukrainian Community acknowledge and appreciate the support they have received since arriving and want to express their gratitude to the people of Limerick.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this action. This holiday season, thanks to several dozen volunteers and donors, nearly 200 children will smile at the sight of a present during such difficult times for them.
Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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