BRADFORD Ukrainian Club is holding a rally tomorrow (Sunday, March 6) between 12pm and 2pm in Bradford's City Park.

The event is a call for peace following the invasion of the country by Russia and will include Ukrainian music and speeches.

People are invited to go along and offer their support.

There will also be an opportunity to donate to a fundraiser to help the people of Ukraine who are facing an uncertain future as war rages around them.

The fundraiser can be found online at: https://bit.ly/35q1rUo

It has been started off by Anna Dezyk and Iryna Terlecky on behalf of Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB).

Their goal of £2million has almost been reached and is understood to be the biggest ever GoFundMe page.

On the fundraising post Anna said: "Millions of people in Ukraine are facing an imminent humanitarian crisis. They are in urgent need of medical supplies and relief as they face the prospect of renewed conflict. Please help them now.

"A further Russian invasion will be catastrophic for the civilian population. The elderly, vulnerable, children and families are at risk of losing their homes and access to medical and other vital services. The psychological trauma of war will affect generations."

On Friday, Bradford West MP Naz Shah went to speak with Ukrainian members at the Ukrainian Community Centre in her constituency and has written on their behalf to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.

She said: "I visited the Ukrainian Community Centre to meet with members, to listen to their concerns and anxieties about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

"Historically, Bradford has had the largest Ukrainian community outside of London, and at present there are an estimated 5,000 people living within the Bradford area, who are Ukrainian and/ or have familial connections and links to Ukraine.

"I listened, as individuals spoke about the desperate situations their family members find themselves in, as Russian troops advance and as they endure heavy Russian bombardment. I was also informed that many family members, had stayed put in their villages while others travelled west towards EU members states, in hope of escaping and finding refuge elsewhere.

"Since the situation has been unfolding the Home Office has been trying to respond to the humanitarian crisis with the existing visa system. The reality is that the existing visa system and the changes do not go far enough and do not reflect the urgency of the crisis.

"I will be writing to the Minister to raise these concerns, to support the Ukrainian Community in my constituency, to ensure that the government understands their strength of feeling and urge them to reconsider their position on their Visa system.

"My thoughts and solidarity are with the Ukrainian people, and the large Ukrainian community in Bradford. We must stand with our allies and partners in condemning Putin’s attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms, and we must maintain and strengthen our unity and resolve. We can do this by applying the hardest possible sanctions to all those linked to Putin and against the Russian government’s interests.

"The chairperson of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain - Bradford Branch informed me of the overwhelming support the community has received, and she urges people to donate to the British Ukrainian Aid Charity to ensure that aid reaches the people on the ground.

"I would like to urge constituents to reach out to me if they require assistance with the unfolding crisis in Ukraine."