United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough

Services and events in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and raising funds for organisations offering humanitarian aid for those impacted by the war are taking place in parishes throughout Dublin & Glendalough in the coming days.

Today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday March 11 and 12, Sandford Parish Church in Ranelagh is holding a Bumper Book Sale for Ukraine from 11am to 2.30pm each day. The entry charge is €10 and for that you can take all the books you can carry.

St Saviour’s Church in Arklow is holding a time of music, reflection and prayer for the people of Ukraine tomorrow, Saturday March 12, between 12 noon and 3pm. Organist Stephen Adams will be play music during this time and there will be a pause every 15 minutes for a time of reflection and prayer. All are welcome to join parishioners for as long or as short a time as they wish and donations can be made to the Irish Red Cross.

Also tomorrow, Saturday, Kilternan Parish Church, is hosting ‘Come, Gather, Give’ in the Gathering Grounds at Kilternan Parish Centre from 11am to 1pm. All funds raised will be donated to the Irish Red Cross.

Monkstown Parish Church is the venue for Mozart Requiem in Aid of the Irish Red Cross Ukraine disaster appeal on Sunday March 27 at 7pm. Performed by Co–Orch Dublin, Encore Voices Dublin, Cantairi Avondale and Dun Laoghaire Choral Society and featuring Soprano Leah Redmond, Alto Raphaela Mangan, Tenor Conor Prendiville, Bass Redmond Sanders, Conductor John Doyle, all monies raised will go directly to the Irish Red Cross work in Ukraine. Tickets are available on Eventbrite here.

Collection of Disability Aids

Meanwhile, Lambeth Award Recipient, disability activist and Greystones resident, Dr Margaret Kennedy, has set up a collection point outside Bray for disability aids and appliances which will be sent to where they are most needed in either Ukraine or Poland. She is asking people to donate items such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, sticks, incontinence pads, colostomy bags, urinals, splints, braces, bandages, orthotics, boots, and all things to do with disability for children and adults, eldercare and sick people. 

“It is clear that disabled, sick and older people are being left behind or are having trouble escaping Ukraine and they may be in great need of assistance,” Dr Kennedy stated. “What is urgently needed is wheelchairs so I am appealing to everybody to look out for unused wheelchairs and aids and appliances for disabled people, often the HSE will not take them back once they are given to people in their homes and people forget they have stuff in attics, under the stairs or garage.”

The initiative has been commended by Archbishop Michael Jackson who said: “As a recipient of the Lambeth Award, Margaret is a compassionate and courageous advocate for the needs of people with disabilities. I commend this most timely initiative and encourage support”.

The collection point for items is Brennanstown Riding School, Hollybrook, Kilmacanogue, County Wicklow, A98 C2F1.

The items will given to Medical Help Ukraine who will transport it to where it is most needed within the next fortnight.

If your parish is holding an event for Ukraine please contact dco@dublin.anglican.org