May 2026 News
This (delayed) newsletter focuses on two visits from cities in Ukraine we have been helping. News on deliveries, summer plans and other activities will follow in the June bulletin.
Zaporizhzhia
On Friday May 15th, the Deputy Governor of Zaporizhzhia, Mykhailo Semikin, visited the Scrubbery.
Much of the aid funded, collected and made by Scrubbery volunteers is transported to Zaporizhzhia in conjunction with Medical Lifelines Ukraine. Equipment we have sent with them includes incubators and electric wheelchairs. Djamilia, our friend and colleague at MLLU invited the Deputy Governor to visit The Scrubbery during his visit to the UK.
Zaporizhzhia is a major city, on the River Dnieper, located in southeastern Ukraine about 20 miles from the frontline. It is the administrative centre of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast region. Whilst 70% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is controlled by the Russians, the city remains under Ukrainian control. It is subjected to almost continuous drone attacks.
The Scrubbery has another link with the city thanks to Dimitro of EmbraceMe. His mother-in-law, Tamara works at Maternity Hospital 4. We have sent a large proportion of our baby knitting to her to distribute including premature baby clothing, blankets, hats and mittens as well as medical aid suitable for babies and toddlers. Often the babies have older siblings also in need.
Tamara had retired but returned to work after her mother was killed when her house was destroyed in an attack in the early days of the war. She sends us regular reports although she finds it hard to express her feelings. She says they have been through so much grief that they can’t give up now. She thanks us for our help and support and says it gives them strength and faith in victory.
The Deputy Governor came to The Scrubbery expecting to find a small charity in two classrooms in a school in Putney. He listened to our mission and was overwhelmed by the scale of what we do. He described it as a factory! The visit ended with heartfelt thanks, the presentation of gifts and hugs for all.
To quote Rosie, ‘ They don’t stop, so we don’t stop.’
Kherson
Djamilia also organised a visit to the UK by the Deputy Head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Tolokonnikov. His brief includes Digital Development, the Co-ordination of International Technical Assistance and International Co-operation.
This meeting was in the Boothroyd Room at the Palace of Westminster. Rosie and some volunteers attended the talk and the following Q and A session.
Kherson is a port city in southern Ukraine that serves as the administrative centre of Kherson Oblast. It is located on the River Dnieper and by the Black Sea. Whilst most of Kherson Oblast is occupied by the Russians, the city was regained by Ukrainian forces in 2022.
Oleksandr’s background is in photojournalism. The audience was shown a video of Kherson. 70% of the land has been cleared of mines but the city is shelled constantly: up to 3000 drone attacks a week. Violence is normalised. Only 20% of the population remain. They are mostly elderly and are unable or unwilling to leave and so they require the most support and aid.
Oleksandr Serhiyovych has come to the UK to speak to the press to encourage continued reporting of the war. He also emphasised the increasing use of technology in war and how that could threaten other countries in Europe.
Rosie was given this commemorative medallion from the Kherson Regional Military Administration as thanks for all the work that The Scrubbery team has been doing and continues to do for this city.
As you can see, there are similarities in the situations affecting the cities of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and in their need for aid. Rosie remarked how these regional governors in Ukraine are now relatively young, resilient, resourceful and determined.
School 73
We still continue to keep up with the twinned School 73 in Lviv and had a recent conference call with them and the mini senior leadership team from the school. We talked about what we were going to do in the holidays and everyday life. It means a great deal to the teachers and children to keep in touch with us as a form of normality in these crazy times.
We have sent out several shipments lately and wish to thank everyone who has been involved in whatever way for their very kind help. We couldn’t do any of this without you.
Call out
We have been asked especially for men’s casual joggers or pyjama bottoms for when the injured are brought back from the frontlines and triaged at a stabilisation point before being taken on for hospital care.
Wishlist
| Mosquito repellant | Sunblock | Lip salve |
|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | Moisturiser/hand cream | Deodorant |
| Any contents for First Aid kits | Foil Blankets | Adult nappies |
| Incontinence pads | Cable ties | Tennis nets |
| Roll mats | Sleeping bags | Tents |
| Ratchet straps | Insoles for boots | Tarpaulins |
| Hand tools | Energy Bars | Instant soup |
| Packets of sweets | Tinned fish/meat | Dog and Cat Food - soldiers are looking after those who have been left behind and sharing their own food with them. |
