A RESIDENT from Tadley is organising a charity fundraiser in a bid raise money to help Ukrainian refugees.

Thirty-one-year-old Utopia Adaway, from Tadley previously organised a collection for Ukraine and was overwhelmed with the sheer number of items that she said completely “filled her conservatory”.

She has now been busy organising a charity event in a bid to do more to help those in need.

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She said: “I am doing it to raise money for Breaking Chains and Nowzad who are UK based ex-military charity and they are currently in Ukraine helping animals and people.

“I did look into going to Ukraine but my work commitments won't allow it so I thought what can I do to help.

“I got massive donations from my collection which is already in Ukraine and I thought well how could I raise even more money.”

She started brainstorming and came up with the idea of a fundraiser, encouraging businesses in the area to come forward and set up stalls.

She added: “I really didn’t think I would get that much interest but I currently have 12 stalls and I have only really been advertising for five or six days now.”

She said since advertising for businesses to come forward to help fundraise she has been completely “blown away by the generosity” of residents in Basingstoke.

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She added: “I have got some local companies who are donating balloons for decoration and I have got Paw Control characters coming from Winchester. I have a local bakery that are donating scones, cream and jam for a lovely afternoon tea.

"I thought is would just be a really nice way to get the community together and get them involved in doing something positive to help.

"I have also invited local care home residents to come along for the afternoon to enjoy the afternoon tea and local schools are joining in by creating bunting, pictures and drawings to go up around the event so it is a really nice feeling and I think it is a nice way to bring everyone together during a sad time."

The fundraiser will be held on May 21 at the Ambrose Allen Centre on Franklin Avenue from 11am to 3pm.

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