Salisbury stands with Ukraine: 'an amazing act of solidarity and support'

Hundreds gathered in Cathedral Close before special service

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 28th Feb 2022
Last updated 28th Feb 2022

Hundreds of people turned out in Salisbury yesterday (Sunday 27th February) to pray for and support the people of Ukraine.

Young and old many wearing blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, and carrying balloons and flags they gathered in the grounds of the Cathedral Close before a special service in the Cathedral.

A protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine was held in Salisbury back in February

It was organised by Olga Kott a Ukrainian national originally from the south west of the country who now lives in Appleshaw near Andover.

Olga lit a candle at the Cathedral service while her husband read a poem written by her mother in law.

Olga Kott from Appleshaw lighting a candle at Salisbury Cathedral during a special service in support of her home country of Ukraine

The Cathedral was almost at capacity with the congregation erupting into a poignant round of applause.

Olga told Greatest Hits Radio it was an incredibly emotional day and she never expected to many people to turn out:

"I was absolutely amazed, I thought maybe fifty people would turn out. I definitely didn't expect that so many different nationalities and religions would come and support us and offer their help."

And she has this message for those that attended:

"I can't be thankful enough for everything you've done, for dressing up in the national colours, bringing flowers and for holding our hands. It's so important to us and to our families, they feel so scared. They don't know what will happen tomorrow and to know that so many people are praying for them is a great support here and in Ukraine"

Olga says she's 'heartbroken' at what is happening to her country and many tears have been shed but the support yesterday has meant so much.

People of all ages did what they could to raise awareness of Ukraine during the event

Meanwhile the Dean of Salisbury, Nick Papadopulos also made a dig at President Putin over the Novichok incident here:

The suspects in the nerve agent poisoning appeared on Russia's state funded TV station six months after the incident claiming they were tourists and were visiting Salisbury Cathedral.

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