sunflowers for Ukraine

[Nora42]

I have just suggested that we shouhd all grow sunflowers accross our plots in defaince of bullys.   
maybe we could do this accross our forum too.
i think it would be a visually stunning way of expressing support.

Nora

[Nora42]

[Tee Gee]

I will make a start;

[Tulipa]

  


That's a nice idea. I found these in the icons, Ukraine's colours... I will buy some seeds!

[cudsey]

Thats a really nice idea I have never grown sunflowers but I will do this year 

[pumkinlover]

I will too but not where the potato crop is. i did that last year it wasn't such a good idea but hey self seeded and I hadn't the heart to move them.

[saddad]

I usually grow loads (60+) and will be doing so again.

[pumkinlover]

Do you grow them for the birds or because you like them Saddad ?

[woodypecks]

Is it the time to sow them yet  ?   🌻

[saddad]

we grow them because we like them, and the birds do too!
We sow ours inside in April... if we want to sow direst we wait until we can see some germinating in the plots, from seed lost last year...

[woodypecks]

Thanks Saddad ....I'll wait for a bit longer then      Nora - It is a lovely idea !

[woodypecks]

...of course they need so much more than this , but as a show of support this is nice ....... and it is also even more wonderful that people have donated so much to be sent out to help too  .

[Paulh]

I'm not sure that donating clothes, etc in the UK will be the most effective way of helping. These have to be checked, sorted, packed, loaded into a lorry which will take a couple of days to get to Poland, where the goods will be unloaded, unpacked, sorted and checked before (if useable) being distributed to refugee centres in Poland or perhaps taken into Ukraine. That's assuming that the lorry gets out of the UK and isn't defeated by the EU border customs checks.

This could be an instance where cash donations, however small, will work much better as they can be spent in Poland or other border country rapidly by people who know what is both needed and possible - and that may mean vehicles and fuel to move supplies that governments and NGOs are providing. I'm not sure what organisation is best for this but will probably give to Disasters Emergencies Committee (DEC), though I have gone off the largest charities generally, because this is what they should be good at.

My research task for today, then. Any ideas gratefully received.

[Tulipa]

I have donated to the DEC, it is difficult to know which is the best way to donate money. I have also purchased some pdf crochet and quilting patterns from Ukrainians selling on Etsy in the hope that little bit reaches them and one lady messaged me with very grateful thanks so I was pleased it had got through.  I only chose things I will make but I hope it helps them and being pdf it is instant download so nothing lost.  It feels very insignificant but it got there!  So sad to see what is going on 

[woodypecks]

Paulh - yes you are correct and here in our village they are saying no to toys and clothes but now asking for tinned food , medical supplies  hygiene things  etc  and of course money .

[BarriedaleNick]

[saddad]

Surely not already....

[pumkinlover]

I've ordered some from Seeds of Italy.
Pualo is soon on his third trip to Poland with medical supplies etc according to his newsletter.