A core group of Ukrainians staying in the Dover district have laid on a feast as a thank you to their hosts for welcoming them into their homes.
Dover District Council, Kent County Council and the Sunrise Café helped the group to organise the festive party to mark the Ukrainian Christmas, which begins on January 6 in the eastern European Orthodox Julian calendar.
Some 80 people attended the event at the Dover Outreach Centre, where the hosts sang Ukrainian carols and cooked delicious dishes for their guests, while children received gifts from Santa.
The women used the event to say thank you for all the support they have received from the district since leaving their conflict-hit country.
There are 113 properties in the Dover district hosting guests under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Noel Beamish from the Outreach Centre said: “I want to express our thanks and appreciation for the support we have received from members of DDC’s community services team.
“They went above and beyond for the Christmas event which was so well received by our Ukrainian friends and their sponsors.
“We also appreciate their support for Sunrise Cafe and the work we do at the Centre generally.”
Posted on 13 January 2023