Cakes for medical supplies: A Ukrainian woman fundraising in Lincolnshire to help her country in crisis
Zoia Kripgans from Barrow upon Humber has been baking day to night to raise money for the Ukraine Crisis
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
A woman from Ukraine who now lives in North Lincolnshire is pushing fundraising efforts to help the war-torn country. Zoia Kripgans moved to Barrow upon Humber in North Lincolnshire just under two years a go from Eastern Ukraine. She spoke about her hometown:
“The city has…. had, a lot of old houses, beautiful houses, a beautiful zoo. Not now. There’s been bombs everywhere. Nearly everything is kaputt.”
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, Zoia said she started making plans to go back over and help.
“I wanted to get back to Eastern Ukraine… but it was not possible. I had to do something, so I stayed at home at started making cakes.”
Zoia studied Food Technology in Ukraine, and professionally makes traditional Ukrainian cakes. Orders have been coming in from her neighbours and a fundraiser has been arranged for more cakes to be sold.
“All the money, I send to Ukraine. That’s my job now… it’s impossible to sit and do nothing. Many people there don’t have food, medicine… nothing.”
She adds that she’s been baking from morning to night most days.
Zoia has two children still in Eastern Ukraine, as well as 3 grandchildren. Along with her husband, they made enquiries to about whether they could come to the UK as the war goes on.
EU countries (but not the UK) agreed to welcome Ukrainians for up to three years, without needing to apply for asylum. Neighbouring countries of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova are also providing immediate assistance with food, accommodation, and transit. The UK still requires Ukrainians to hold a visa to enter.
However, there are special routes open to Ukrainians who have family in the UK. It means people with pre-settled status, like Zoia, can apply to sponsor family members through the scheme.
Despite more than 2.1 million people having fled Ukraine according to UN estimates, the latest figures from Downing Street say Britain has granted just 957 visas.
Boris Johnson said the number of Ukrainian refugees coming to the UK will rise "very sharply".
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 516 civilian deaths during Russia's military attack on Ukraine as of March 8, 2022. Of them, 37 were children. Furthermore, 908 people were reported to have been wounded. However, OHCHR specified that the real numbers could be higher.
“Friends of my children have lost their lives. Two women. Another woman I know has lost her children- an 18 year old girl and a 16 year old boy- she’s been searching for them. My son-in-law’s parents home was bombed- they were away sheltered underground - but they have lost everything.”
Through these dark times, Zoia says that the world is now seeing how brave Ukrainians are:
“I’m very proud of my country and my people. Our president Zelensky… I thought he might have been more of a show-business man. But now, we all see him. He is really the president for our country. He’s the natural president for us.”
“Our people are strong and brave and understand we must go on. If we all do something, help each other, think strong and positive… we will live.”
“We love our country. People don’t want to leave. Of course, women, children and elderly are having to leave… just so they can live a safe life”
Zoia has said she doesn’t think her life will ever be the same again. Her plan is to carry on baking cakes and raising funds for the Ukraine crisis for as long as she needs to:
“This is my life now- I can’t be interested in anything else. When the war is finished- I will be able to be happy.”
Zoia says she speaks to her family and friends still in Ukraine every day over the phone or through texting. She explains the huge sense of pride they have for their country, and the level of strength and courage Ukrainian's have which the world is now seeing.
“I’m very proud of my country. I am proud to be a Ukrainian woman.”
Zoia is taking orders for her traditional Ukrainian cakes locally through Facebook.