A VIGIL in Llandudno was held on Friday (February 24) to mark one year since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
The vigil was held at 5.30pm at St John’s Church, with roughly 100 people present.
Hosting the event was Revd Nigel Rodgers, minister of St John’s, and Cllr Carol Marubbi, mayor of Llandudno, while Baron Roberts of Llandudno was also in attendance.
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Numerous speeches, poems and prayers were read out by members of the community, including those who arrived in North Wales in the last year after fleeing Ukraine.
A rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem was also sung.
Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine began a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which has killed tens of thousands.
The invasion led to more than eight million Ukrainians fleeing the country, in Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War.
Helen Denning, a Llandudno resident originally from Ukraine who helped organise the vigil, said: “Thank you to everyone who attended our Ukrainian vigil.
“It was good to see Lord Roger Roberts, among other friends, who came to support us. He was the first to arrive at the vigil, and greeted everyone by the church gate.
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“He was also one of the first to do a vigil in support of Ukraine a week after the invasion happened. Lord Roger had a chance to meet (Ukraine president) Volodymyr Zelensky in parliament recently.
“We are grateful to Revd Nigel for allowing us to use the church yard for our vigil.”
A cultural event will also be at 2pm at St Mary’s Church, Conwy on March 4, and will feature musical performances, a presentation about Ukraine, souvenirs and hand-made gifts, cakes, and a raffle.
Previously, four such events have been organised across Denbighshire and Conwy; the latest, held at St Asaph Cathedral on February 4, raised a total of £4,431.
Money raised has been used to help fund the purchases of items such as medical supplies, a night vision device to assist in clearing Ukrainian territories of mines, and a car for a combat zone.
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