Huge response to Barry mum’s Ukraine relief raffle

Glamorgan Star news 31/03/2022

5 minutes read

Huge response to Barry mum’s Ukraine relief raffle

By Glamorgan Star reporters

A charity raffle organised by a mother from Barry took place last Saturday and has raised well over £4,000 for Save the Children humanitarian aid effort in Ukraine.

Ruth John, 35, who had previously worked for the charity as a regional fundraising manager until being made redundant during the pandemic, put her skills to good use by launching the massive raffle with the aim of raising as much donations as possible for organisation’s work in Ukraine and bordering countries.

Ruth, a mother of two young boys said: “When the Russian invasion of Ukraine happened it was first thing in the morning – I was getting my boys ready for school, and I was looking at them, thinking ‘my goodness, this is just awful’.

“I immediately wondered what I could do to help. I used to work at Save the Children as a regional fundraising manager, and it was a no-brainer to start raising some funds that they would need to support families over there who need supplies.”

Save the Children has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, supplying humanitarian aid to children and their families.

As the conflict continues, the charity aims to supply 3.5 million children and their families with essentials including food, water and winter clothing at a time when temperatures regularly plunge below freezing.

The charity is also providing cash and vouchers to help families meet basic needs such as food, rent and medicine.

Cash donations to families also helps maintain a degree of economic activity at a time when normal life has been severely disrupted.

During lockdown, Ruth helped with the organising of a mutual aid group for Barry Waterfront residents. Amongst other things, they ran errands, had little libraries, and printed colouring packs for kids across the estate. They then helped to set up a wider community group up for the rest of Barry with sponsorship provided by local businesses.

A support network for small business owners was set up on Instagram. After posting a request for raffle prizes, the group was completely inundated with offers of help.

Over 70 prizes were donated from Ruth’s contacts from all parts of the United Kingdom, along with further gifts from businesses in New Jersey and Singapore: “I was receiving messages left, right and centre from people who said they wanted to do something, but didn’t know what to do, and this has enabled them to help the innocent people in Ukraine,” she said.

Of the businesses who have donated prizes for the raffle, 69 are run by women, which is a particular source of pride for Ruth: “A lot of the business owners are either mothers themselves or work with young children, but everyone has been very upset by the horrible events in Ukraine in recent weeks.

She added: “We all felt a deep sense of wanting to do something to help. I have been astonished by the incredible way in which everybody has pulled together and done their bit by donating raffle prizes and buying tickets.”

Melanie Simmonds, head of Save the Children in Wales, pointed out that violence has been taking place in eastern Ukraine for the past eight years.

Following the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych during the Maidan Revolution of February 2014, the new authorities in Kyiv removed the language rights of the predominantly Russian-speaking population in the Donbas region, and subsequent agreements pledging to give the area autonomy within Ukraine have not been implemented, with both sides blaming the other.

Since 2014, more than 14,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukraine’s army and the Moscow-supported separatists in Donbas: “Children have already lived through eight years of conflict, enduring violence, shelling, and being displaced from their homes. There is no safe place in Ukraine, and the situation is changing by the hour.

“Enough is enough and we are ready to provide life-saving assistance such as food, water, cash transfers, and safe places for children as people flee the conflict amid freezing temperatures and brutal conditions. We are able to do this because of the generosity of people in all corners of Wales currently donating or organising fundraisers to support our emergency fund,” Ms Simmonds said.

On 12th-13th March, Ruth Zeraschi, owner of Mrs Marco’s Café in Porthkerry Park raised £530 in raffle ticket sales by having a face painter at the venue to attract crowds, and the previous weekend, Crafted Arts on High Street, Barry raised £175.

Ruth Ivey and her team at Mrs Marco’s Cafe in Porthkerry Park.

On social media Mrs Marco’s Café commented: “I’d like to give Ruth [John] and everyone else who’s participated a big huge congratulatory hug. Proper ‘people power’.

“Now looking forward to meeting the lady who won the £30 voucher. How much cake will that buy?”

Rebecca from Siempre Aromas and Gemma from Crafted Arts by Gemma sold tickets on a Saturday prior to the raffle.

The raffle took place last Saturday (26th March). Among the huge array of prizes were hand-made earrings and jewellery, a Melissa and Doug dinosaur, a hand-made wooden bird box, alcoholic drinks, singing lessons, guitar lessons and garden improvements.

Singer Emma Hutton, who is currently performing in New York, donated an online concert for one lucky winner.

The raffle tickets cost £5 each, and people could buy as many as they wanted. For example, a £20 donation had four raffle tickets entered in the draw.

Ruth John volunteer coordinator for the Ukraine fundraising raffle said: “Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, we’ve raised £4,255 for Save the Children’s work in Ukraine and bordering countries.

“The success of this fundraiser is down to the small businesses involved, who have gone the extra mile by selling tickets within their shops and cafes. Plus, artists who have created bespoke products to sell in aid of the fundraiser.

“It’s such a good feeling to know we’ve worked as a team to do what we can in an impossible situation. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all involved. This money will make a difference and we can all take comfort in that.”

Ann Jackson from the local branch of Save the Children added: “We are absolutely thrilled to have such passionate and driven volunteers who have worked extremely hard together to raise such a fantastic amount in such a small timeframe. I’ve never known a raffle raise so much money.

“We’re always looking for new volunteers so get in touch if you’d like to help us reach more children and their families in crisis.”

The PayPal account: is still open for donations only (send as family and friends only). Lucky raffle winners are being contacted with their prizes.

Pictured below after having their arm and face painted are Ruth John’s two boys Jacob (6) and Joshua (3). Jacob commented: “I’m really sad that there are children hurting in Ukraine. It makes me happier that we can send them some money to get them what they need.”