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Islanders are being invited to help create a giant Ukraine ‘living flag’ to celebrate the start of Jersey’s Ukraine Week celebrations next month.
People who wish to take part are being asked to gather at 10:30 on Sunday 21 August at Le Braye beach wearing blue and yellow clothing to form the shape of the Ukraine flag, which will then be photographed by drone from the air.
The creation of the living flag will celebrate the start of Jersey’s ‘Ukraine Week’ celebrations, which will take place between 21st-27th August.
There will be a series of fundraising initiatives taking place across the island, including a blue and yellow-tie dinner, an auction, pop-up stalls celebrating (and selling) Ukrainian foods, fashion and art and a beach-side concert in the run up to Ukraine Week.
Islanders and businesses are also being urged to hold their own events, be it a dinner party for friends, a pub quiz, a yellow and blue dress-down day in the office, a personal sports challenge or a car wash.
Islanders who wish to be part of the living flag are being asked to meet at Le Braye at 10am on Sunday 21st August, and bring along blue and yellow clothing (to ensure the flag can be coloured in the correct proportions). Blue and yellow clothing can be purchased from local charity shops which have already been informed of the flag event and a potential increased interest in clothing of these colours.
A Facebook Event page has been set up where islanders can express an interest in taking part and find out more.
Michel Le Troquer of Jersey Side by Side, a charity which supports humanitarian assistance to people in the wake of major emergencies and natural disasters around the world, said: "We wanted to start Jersey’s Ukraine Week with a show of solidarity with the people of the war-torn country and what better way to do this than by gathering as many islanders as we can to recreate the country’s distinctive flag.
"We hope the image will be used online, and in the media, as far and wide as possible, as a pictorial representation of the island of Jersey’s unwavering support for the people affected by this barbaric war."
After the creation of the living flag, islanders will also have the opportunity to take part in a live mine clearance demonstration by Friends of Ukraine – EOD, a charity which Jersey pledged funding to earlier this year. The charity trains Ukrainian nationals to deal with the large amounts of unexploded ordnance and abandoned ammunition and damaged military hardware throughout the country that pose a real threat to life.
The full schedule of events for Ukraine Week has now published on Side by Side’s website and updates can be found on the charity’s Facebook page. A fundraising pack is now available to download from the website, aimed at individuals, community groups and businesses wishing to organise their own Ukraine Week fundraising activities.
All money raised throughout Ukraine Week will be donated to the Bailiff’s Ukraine Appeal through charity Jersey Side by Side.
It will then be distributed to vetted charities operating inside Ukraine by Jersey Overseas Aid. To date, Jersey Overseas Aid has overseen the distribution of over £2.3m in humanitarian aid to address the needs of Ukrainians both inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.
Islanders wishing to give to the Bailiff’s Ukraine Appeal should visit Side by Side’s website where they can make a secure online donation.
Lead picture credit: Philip Clyde-Smith
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