Merchandise
During my travels in Ukraine, I come across many hugely talented people; here, you have the opportunity to buy some of their arts and crafts. You have my undertaking that all profits will be used to continue our vital support work in Ukraine.
On our ‘Home Page’, I quote Olena, Director of Hostomel Primary Healthcare Clinic, ‘Nick, if we don’t treat our children today, Ukraine has no future tomorrow’. Support for the millions of Ukrainian children who are suffering because of the war must be at the heart of cooperation partnerships especially in the areas that are the most affected by the war. The establishment of cooperation partnerships, with actions for children at their heart, will also support the movement of decentralisation and the deepening of democracy in Ukraine.
These children need a ‘prykhystok’, (a shelter or refuge), to breathe away from the horrors of the war, to be children again, to overcome the immeasurable trauma they suffer and to continue to live, in spite of the situation, with the situation. The Centre for Children and Youth Creativity of Ivankiv Village Council (CSPR) is one such ‘prykhystok’. Ivankiv is located in northern Ukraine, near Chernobyl; the hospital here was ‘front-line’ during the disaster of 1986; Ivankiv CSPR was created by UNESCO after the Chernobyl disaster. Since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War, CSPR has been within the structure of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, also working with veterans, their families, and those who have suffered loss.
I spent time at Ivankiv CSPR in June 2023 and October 2023 discussing a ‘partnership’ with Viktória who is Director at the centre. It was very uplifting to be told ‘Nick, you are the first person to suggest a co-operation to us; it will enable us to grow’. Many of the items listed here are made by the children at Ivankiv CSPR; the items are sent to me free of charge; this means that 100% of your donation can be applied to supporting and developing the work of this remarkable institute.
Bespoke Ukraine Brooches
These beautiful handcrafted brooches are made for me in Uzhhorod by Natalia Ladizhits, a graduate of Kyiv National University. The university was founded in 1834 as the Saint Vladimir Imperial University of Kyiv; it has since changed its name several times. During the Soviet era, Kiev State University was one of the top-three universities in the USSR, along with Moscow State University and Leningrad State University. It is the third oldest university in Ukraine after the University of Lviv and University of Kharkiv. Its structure consists of fifteen faculties and five institutes. The university is recognised as Ukraine’s most prestigious university, and is the largest national higher education institution in the country.
Brooches – £20:00 each; if you would like to buy one, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Serhiy Hrynenko Paintings
Serhiy is one of our three ‘Heroes of Ukraine’; in 2015 near Starognativka, Donetsk region, a sniper’s bullet severely injured his skull and brain. Serhiy was in intensive care for more than two months and had to undergo several complex operations. Today, he remains paralysed save for the use of his left arm; he continues to need surgical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as constant help from his mother, Valentyna. During his recovery, Serhiy developed a desire to draw; at first, this activity was like rehabilitation to develop the hand, but later it turned into a hobby. Now that Serhiy has left hospital, he wishes to regain his independence, financially supporting himself and his Mum. I have twenty of Serhiy’s paintings; for each painting, I am selling twenty ‘raffle tickets’ at £5:00; please contact me if you would like to ‘win’ one of these incredible paintings. All proceeds will be taken to Serhiy and Valentyna to facilitate their independence.
Paintings – please contact me if you would like to see a portfolio of Serhiy’s extraordinary art:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Christmas Pin Badge
An attractive seasonal pin badge featuring holly berries beneath the colours of the flag of Ukraine. Article 20 of the Constitution of Ukraine states that ‘the State Flag of Ukraine is a banner of two equally sized horizontal bands of blue and yellow colour.’ The blue and yellow bicolour first appeared during the 1848 Spring of Nations in Lemberg, then part of the Austrian Empire. It was adopted as a state flag for the first time in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution (1917) by the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the West Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Ukrainian State; it was also later adopted by Carpatho-Ukraine in March 1939. When Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, the bicolour was banned; the bicolour gradually returned during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, before officially being adopted again on 28 January 1992 by the Ukrainian parliament. Since 2004, Ukraine has celebrated the Day of the National Flag on 23 August each year, preceding Independence Day of Ukraine which is celebrated the following day.
Ukraine Christmas Pin Badge – £10:00 each; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Camouflage Angels
These ‘Camouflage Angels’ are made by the children of Ivankiv and sent to the front line as gifts for soldiers (defenders) to wear as a sign of gratitude and support. A new pixelated camouflage design was adopted by the Ukrainian National Guard in 2023.
Ukraine Camouflage Angel – £10:00 each; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Hand Angels
These Ukrainian angels fit in the palm of your hand and offer protection and strength. There is an exhibition consisting of yellow and blue ‘angels’, handmade by Ukrainian women, each one representing a child that has been killed in Ukraine.
Hand Angel – £10:00 each; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Tree Angels
These angels are a beautiful Christmas tree souvenir showcasing the skills of the Ivankiv children. Angels are traditionally placed at the top of Christmas trees to represent their role in the birth of Jesus.
Tree Angel – £10:00 each; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Christmas Trees
Christmas tree decorations made by the children of Ivankiv. In September 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine switched to the Julian calendar, further distancing Ukraine from the invaders, the first year that Christmas will be celebrated on 25 December.
Tree Angel – £10:00 each; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Wristbands
Wristbands, handcrafted by 15-year-old Sandra Filypyshyn who studies at Uzhhorod Linguistic Gymnasium. First established in 1613, the Gymnasium was closed in 1945 by the Soviet authorities, reopening in April 1994, now with 800 students.
Wristband – Donations; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Spiders Web
Finding a spider or a spider’s web on a Christmas tree in Ukraine is considered good luck. Ukrainians create small Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of a spider, known as ‘pavuchky’ (literally ‘little spiders’), usually made of paper and wire.
Spiders Web – £10.00; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Snowflakes
Every new snowflake comes to the earth as a picture of our Saviour’s birth, because they are sent from up above and remind us of God’s care and love. Snowflakes gently cover the world in white and hide what’s unlovely from our sight … (poignant).
Snowflakes – £10.00; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Patron The Dog
Patron was initially trained to participate in dog exhibitions but showed the abilities of a sniffing dog early on. After Russia’s full-scale invasion, Patron has been really helpful in de-mining and has become a people’s favourite along the way.
Patron – £10.00; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Pin Cushion
Heart shaped pin cushion embroidered with traditional Ukrainian folklore designs. The earliest example of folklore found in Ukraine is the layer of pan-Slavic folklore that dates back to the eighth century mythology of the Eastern Slavs.
Pin Cushion – £10.00; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com
Ukraine Dolls
Handcrafted in Kyiv by Alla Poplavska, a Master of Sacred needlework. Alla works from the Museum of Ukrainian Diaspora that houses the works of famous artists and scientists who were forced to leave their homeland during the Soviet era.
Dolls – Various £10.00 / Various £15.00 / Various £20.00; if you would like to buy, please contact me:
Phone / WhatsApp: 07582 228428
Email: nick.wormald1@googlemail.com