Saints have backed the project #StokesleyforUkraine - an organisation conducting invaluable work linking Ukrainian evacuees with UK registered sponsors offering safe homes and sanctuary.
The Club showed its support for the people of Ukraine after presenting a signed Saints shirt to Ukrainian citizens – Olga Bakumanto and Irina Handza on the pitch at half time of our victory over Hull FC.
The presentation illustrated the support which our club, our town and our sport has for the people of Ukraine in their extraordinarily brave defence of their country and its freedoms. We are sure that our supporters and those from Hull will give them a very warm reception.
The Club showed its support for Ukraine at Friday's game by presenting evacuees Olga and Irina with a signed Saints shirt! đź’™
Our club, our town and our sport are all behind you Ukraine! đź’›#COYS pic.twitter.com/QLMxP3Bmva
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 15, 2022
Olga and Irina are from Kharkiv in North Eastern Ukraine and were subject to 40 days of continuous shelling before evacuation to the UK in early May. Olga is a professional chemist and Irina an English teacher and are being hosted in the UK by David and Caroline Horton from Stokesley, Yorkshire.
A huge thank you to everyone at @Saints1890 for your show of support on Friday. We are so grateful for your acts of kindness and solidarity with us and the people of Ukraine. #StokesleyForUkraine https://t.co/S5xmizXeqK
— StokesleyForUkraine (@StokesleyForUKR) May 16, 2022
David (who is originally from St.Helens) and Caroline have set up StokesleyforUkraine, an organisation conducting invaluable work linking Ukrainian evacuees with UK registered sponsors offering safe homes and sanctuary.
Watch a heart-warming video of Olga and Irina’s visit to Saints above and hear from our Chairman Eamonn McManus on the important work David and Caroline are doing with StokesleyforUkraine.