Look at how the Isle of Wight reacted to Russia-Ukraine war

With the two forces still locked in a bloody war of attrition, here is a look at how the Isle of Wight reacted.

The Isle of Wight County Press got involved by collecting food, medical supplies and blanket, and at Christmas we took in gift boxes for Ukrainian soldiers.  

In December, 2021, MP Bob Seely predicted what was was on the horizon, saying “We could be weeks away from a major war”.

The County Press got involved 

• Read more: Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely's war warning over Ukraine

Bob Seely at the Houses of Parliament. (Image: Newsquest.)

 FEBRUARY 2022    

• Watch: Explosions in Ukraine as Russia declares war     
• MP Bob Seely leads debate on Russian invasion in Parliament, saying Ukraine is "arguably the first conventional war in Europe since 1945".     

Ukraine explosion as Russia declares war and Putin warns of 'consequences never seen'. (PA) (Image: PA)

MAD-Aid has a base in East Cowes and (inset) founder Victoria Dunford and Ukraine (by PA News Agency). (Image: PA)

• Islanders gather in Ryde in support of Ukraine    
• Isle of Wight based charity, Mad-AID, begin to send medical aid to Moldova, supporting refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

MARCH 

• Facebook page, Isle of Wight community help for Ukraine, is launched by concerned Islanders who want to help in any way they can.
• In the House of Commons, MP Bob Seely calls for a public inquiry into Russian money and corruption in the UK.
• A Christian missionary from the Isle of Wight, who had been living in Ukraine for more than four years, asks people to pray for his adopted home.
• Donations begin to flood in, and a ferry of aid is soon to leave the Isle of Wight for Moldova.

Samuel Hughes at Viking camp for Ukrainian children, dressed as a priest, and inset, with Roma children. (Image: Samuel Hughes)

Volunteers sort donations to Ukraine in East Cowes. (Image: MAD-Aid)

• An Island pub shows its support for Ukraine by announcing it will not be restocking Russian vodka.
• MP Bob Seely reacts to parliament address by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Speeches and two minutes of silence in Newport, in respect of the victims of the war, complete with Ukrainian flags, ribbons, flowers and placards.
• Another lorry full of donations leaves for Ukraine thanks to MAD-Aid and Isle of Wight community help for Ukraine
• The Island's effort for Ukraine shows no sign of letting up, as donations continue to flood in. 
• Ukraine war painfully close to home for Isle of Wight woman.
• The Island's music community comes together in support of Ukraine, with local musicians performing to raise money for MAD-Aid.

APRIL 

• Isle of Wight set to welcome 39 Ukrainians after the first batch of visas are issued under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
• Nine trucks are loaded up with aid for Ukraine's refugees, with aid worth more than £400,000 sent to the region from the Isle of Wight.

MAD-Aid's Victoria Dunford and Cllr Karl Love in Moldova, as part of the Isle of Wight's Ukraine aid effort. (Image: Free to re-use.)

Nigel Watson heading to Moldova or Ukraine to help. (Image: Free to re-use.)

• Isle of Wight Councillor Karl Love returns to UK after travelling to Moldova with MAD-Aid - to see how aid is being distributed to Ukraine's refugees.
• A karaoke night helps fund the purchase of supplies for Ukraine, and an Isle of Wight man leaves the country to help distribute them.
• MP Bob Seely visits Kyiv, Odesa and Mykolayiv during the UK parliament's recess.

MAY 

• More than 130 visas are approved, allowing more Ukraine war refugees to travel to the Isle of Wight.
• The frontage of a popular Ventnor pub is painted blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine.

The Crab and Lobster Tap, Grove Road, Ventnor. (Image: The Crab and Lobster Tap.)

• Isle of Wight councillor for Totland and Colwell, Chris Jarman, welcomes Ukrainian refugees into his home

JUNE 

• Fridges, toys, microwaves and even old County Press desks head to Ukraine.

JULY 

• Retired Army major Mick rows across The Solent in a home-made tin boat for Ukraine.

AUGUST 

• Schools on the Isle of Wight offer dozens of places to children fleeing the Ukraine conflict.

SEPTEMBER  

• MP Bob Seely leads a cross-party group of MPs to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv to meet president Zelensky.

OCTOBER  

• After all the upheaval of fleeing war-torn Ukraine and moving to the foreign surroundings of the Isle of Wight, twin boys Denys and Artem quickly settle into local life thanks to Newport Youth Football Club.

Ukrainian twin boys Artem and Denys Yershov. (Image: Free to re-use.)

• A festive Isle of Wight shoe box appeal is launched for the soldiers of Ukraine

NOVEMBER 

• A campaign to send Christmas shoeboxes to soldiers in Ukraine is so successful a bigger vehicle is needed.
• A Sandown man who spent several months in Ukraine repares to return with a van full of shoeboxes.

Nigel Watson heading back to Ukraine with Christmas shoeboxes. (Image: Free to re-use.)

DECEMBER 

• An appeal is launched to house Ukrainian families in the winter. 

JANUARY

An Isle of Wight charity welcomes MP Bob Seely to its centre for children with special needs in Moldova.

FEBRUARY

MP Bob Seely calls on the UK Government to help Ukraine in their war against Russia, by giving the country 'the tools to finish the job'.

Music for Ukraine set to return for another fundraiser as conflict enters second year.