UK-AID / Felsted Aid For Deprived Children - Latest News

Knitting Queen - Dunmow Broadcast

Sun, 23 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Knitting Queen Norah

Read about our fantastic supporter Norah.

Dunmow Broadcast 20.05.2010

May 2010 Thank You From Recent Visit

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

2^nd May 2010

Dear All

We have just returned from our latest trip. We avoided the problems with volcanic dust in fact we knew nothing about the volcano until we reached Ukraine.

We went to see our usual families to give them financial help and were introduced to a new lady. She is in her early 40's. She used to be a nurse and had a very nice flat. However, she met a man and had a child. This child was born blind with cerebral palsy and epeleptic fits. She had to sell her flat to pay for medication of her child. The child is now approximately 6 years old. He just turns in circles all day and plays with a cupboard door which he likes to open and shut as it squeaks. His Mum says it drives her mad. She is now living on the 9^th floor of a block of flats. She has had a thrombosis which turned gangrenous in her left leg and it had to be amputated at the top of her thigh. She has had toes removed from her right foot with the same problem and it is thought that she will loose this leg also. Her neighbours are reluctant to babysit; she has no family so when she goes out shopping on her crutches she has to leave her son at home alone. When we asked how we could help her she just asked if she could have some of our washing powder as it was better than theirs! Her carpet is threadbare but we do have some coming in which we will give her. We will also give her new bedding. On the lorry which we sent out in February there was a motorised scooter. We have asked Dr P to see if it would be any good for her.

We were so upset about this lady's plight and felt so helpless but she is just one of the many cases which we come across in Ukraine.

Thank you all again for your help it enables us to continue to do our best.

Kind regards

Alan and Pauline

YOU Clarins award

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

YOU Clarins award: 'It takes drive to change this many lives.'

Pauline has been featured in the Daily Mail You Magazine as last year's runner-up, in the Clarins and YOU search for the Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year. Read the full article here.

Daily Mail You Magazine 16.01.2010

Guardian 11.01.2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"DEATHS & CANCER FROM ACCIDENT STILL IN DISPUTE"
Doctors at the children's cancer hospital in Minsk, Belarus & Vilne Hospital,
east of Ukraine, are in no doubt that they are seeing unusually high rates of cancer, mutations, blood diseases, genetic diseases, internal organ deformities & thyroid cancer, up to hundreds of miles away from the Chernobyl nuclear power station accident which happened in 1986. Infant deaths have increased 20-30%.
But proving that these effects are caused by the world's greatest release of radioactivity is impossible as there have been no comprehensive, co-ordinated studies of the health consequences of the nuclear accident. Belarus National Academy of Sciences estimates there have been 93,000 deaths so far & 270,000 cancers. The Ukrainian National Commission for Radiation Protection have calculated 500,000 deaths so far. But the International Atomic Energy Agency claim only 56 people have died so far & that 4,000 eventual deaths may be too high an estimate.

Guardian 11.01.2010

Hi Tec Shoe Donation

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Alan and Pauline would like to thank Hi-Tec for their kind and generous donation of 200 pairs of shoes for the children of Chernihiv, Ukraine in
October 2009. The shoes have already been packed and transported
overland in the convoy of October. They have now passed the customs
and have been distributed to the children.

Dr. P. and Dr. Natalia sent a message recently to say
"All the children were so happy to receive wonderful Hi-Tec boots on the
eve of New Year and Christmas holidays!"

"We feel very privileged to be associated with an international company
such as Hi-Tec who have continued to support us over the last few years."
said Alan.

See the news report in the Southend Echo.

New Website Launch

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Alan and Pauline are pleased to announce the launch of the new website for Felsted Aid to coincide with the launch of the new name UK-AID.

The website was designed by Lisa Smith, local consultant for Activ Web Design. "It was a pleasure to meet Alan and Pauline and I am very pleased and excited to be working with them", said Lisa.

Smile Report December 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is our newsletter - The Smile Report - for December 2009.

Jenny's Visit

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Visiting Ukraine last year was a real eye-opener. I met children and families living with horrendous diseases, deformities and in poverty. These families were kind enough to open their homes to us and allow us to see the struggle that they face everyday, 24-7. Caring for a sick child is a full time job, without days off, any help from the government or respite care. This is why the centre is so crucial; it is a lifeline for these families.

This year was no exception, full of emotion and tears. We were introduced to some new families, who too rely upon the centre for support. One of those families have a daughter, Julia, who is fifteen years old, oblivious to her surroundings and permanently in a cot. To witness this was heartbreaking and something I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

I was so pleased to visit Igor (19 year old with the mentality of a young baby) again. I often think about Igor after first meeting him last August. All of his time is spent on a bed; his only access to the world outside is a window. I often worry and threat about him because his mother has terminal cancer, his father is dead and I know the time will come when he is placed in an institution. Until then, Igor and his mother are receiving help from the centre, making their lives that little bit easier.
I know first-hand what good the centre does for these families; it is vital. The aid that comes from the UK is greatly received and much needed, long may that continue.