A DETERMINED Worcester director spurred on by memories of life in Ukraine in the late 90s has raised six times her original fund-raising target to help colleagues in war-torn Kherson.
And Rachael Savage has paid tribute to Observer readers for their efforts in helping her raise in excess of £4,000 despite having only set out to raise £700.
We reported last month on the arts director of Vamos Theatre’s Crowdfunder bid to raise vital cash for food, clothes and medicine in Ukraine.
The Black Sea port has been among the flashpoints in the bloody conflict which has lasted nearly eight months.
Thanks to the generous support of readers, Vamos Theatre’s artistic director has raised £4,176 – £3,776 through Crowdfunder and an additional £400 in personal donations.
With an original aim of £700, she is delighted to have smashed the target nearly six times over.
As an actor in the late 1990s, Rachael toured Ukraine in a co-production between UK and Ukrainian theatre companies.
She stayed in touch with colleagues in the city of Kherson and when she learnt of the ongoing hardships they are suffering, she was determined to find a way to help them.
The response to the campaign has been amazing – over a hundred supporters responded with such generosity and warmth, sending messages of support as well as financial help.
“A massive thank you to everyone who has donated to my Crowdfunding campaign. To say my friends in Kherson are grateful would be a ridiculous understatement, they say you have saved their lives,” she said.
“They are also bowled over by your words of support.
“Most of the money has already been sent safely to Kherson, where it is being distributed to help provide food, clothes and medicines.
“Friends in Kherson have responded with messages including: “Thank you very much for your kind words. In this difficult time, a kind word supports the soul.
“And the most important thing is that you are not alone, with you are your friends thinking of you. We hug you and everyone who remembers us tightly.”
“Rachael, thank you very much and everyone who helped us. The money we got it. We hope to stay alive and healthy. I think there will be no connection soon. Don’t worry about us, everything will be fine.”
“Thanks to the generosity of Worcester and Malvern Observer readers and everyone who has supported the campaign, the people of Kherson have a chance to stay safer over the coming weeks,” she added.
