On Saturday, April 17, a meaningful and inspiring event took place in the heart of Manchester, at St Peter’s Square — the presentation of the Blood Solidarity project, delivered with the support of the National Lottery Community Fund.
The initiative brought together the Ukrainian community and local residents around an essential cause — blood donation. The project not only promotes awareness about donating blood but also highlights the strong spirit of solidarity between Ukrainians and the British people.
The presentation was led by Project Director Ruslan Panchyshyn and Communications Director Anatolii Shalaiev, in partnership with the Ukrainian-language radio programme on ALLFM 96.9, which actively supports the Ukrainian community across the UK.
The response from Manchester residents was overwhelmingly positive. Many were genuinely touched and inspired by the idea that Ukrainians are contributing to saving lives in the UK. It became a powerful example of mutual support and integration — showing that even far from home, Ukrainians are eager to give back to the society that has welcomed them.
A key message shared during the event was simple yet impactful:
one blood donation can save up to three lives.
The event also featured a cultural programme. A special thanks goes to the duet “Do-Lya” — Volodymyr Kovalchuk and Nadiia Verba — for their heartfelt performance of Ukrainian songs, which created a warm and memorable atmosphere.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Vira Tymchyshyn and everyone involved in organising this event, as well as to our dedicated volunteers who helped distribute flyers, engaged with the public, and handed out Community Fund flags throughout the square.
We are especially grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting initiatives like Blood Solidarity, which bring communities together, promote generosity, and contribute to saving lives. Thanks to National Lottery players, such projects are able to make a real difference at the local level.
This event once again demonstrated that Ukrainians are not only resilient but also deeply committed to helping others — building bridges, strengthening communities, and saving lives.