Ukrainian school sends heartfelt thanks following Mercy Brothers fundraiser
Thursday 20th June 2024A school in Ukraine has shared a message of thanks to our diocese as donations from a musical fundraiser helps power their school during energy blackouts.
Last year, clergy rock band The Mercy Brothers held a fun-filled evening of musical entertainment to raise funds for communities impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Held at the parish of St Mary and St John Fisher’s in Denton, the evening raised a total of £2,500 for Caritas Ukraine, thanks to the support of generous parishioners and supporters from across the diocese and beyond.
Although a whole year has passed since the fundraiser, the impact of such generosity continues to leave its mark, as described in a heartfelt message of thanks from a school in Ivano-Frankivsk in Western Ukraine.
The message explains how the money raised from the fundraiser has provided an electrical generator for the school, meaning children can continue their studies during energy blackouts, caused by the damage to infrastructure during air strikes on the city.
It reads: “We appreciate your efforts in organising this help, which is an example of your kindness and mutual understanding for the fate of the Ukrainian nation.
“Thank you for wanting to support education establishments at this difficult time. Good deeds do not go unnoticed. By supporting us, you not only give materially, but give us happiness and hope.”
Fr Joe – band member and parish priest of St Mary and John Fisher’s, which hosted the event – was delighted to hear from the school about the impact the donation has made.
He said: “It was wonderful that the parish was able to respond to a request from the Ukrainian community of Manchester and so be able to help provide three generators to help schools to continue their role in providing ongoing education for the children in very difficult circumstances.
“Our primary school St Mary’s Denton also provided a full set of English phonics books for the school and we hope to build on these links in the future.”
Since forming the band almost 10 years ago, The Mercy Brothers have raised an incredible £10,000 on average each year for a wide range of charities and causes.
This Friday night, the band will be taking to the stage once again to raise money for a cause closer to home, in a fundraiser for the SVP to help support the development of the Young Vincentian programmes in the dioceses of Salford and Shrewsbury.
The event will take place at Our Lady’s Social Club, Stockport, on Friday 21 June at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought online by clicking here or by buying on the door.
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