- Чернігівський реабілітаційний центр "Відродження"
Kindness that comes from the heart knows no distance
The visit of our dear friends from Great Britain became an exceptionally pleasant and heart-warming event for the entire team of the Revival Centre. Alan Hilliar, Graham Whicker, Steve Huggins, Lance Whitehouse, Angela Peacock, and Lana Wimble are people who sincerely open their hearts to Ukrainian children and their families.
At the beginning of October, they delivered the 95th shipment of humanitarian aid from the citizens of Great Britain for socially vulnerable families in our city and region.
A visit from our British friends is always a celebration of humanity, warmth, and mutual support. As is tradition, they visited families with seriously ill children to identify their most urgent needs for possible assistance. They also visited the veterinary sterilisation centre “A Step Towards Animals”, bringing food and accessories for the animals.
For the children, a wonderful gathering took place in the music hall — with a beautiful concert, heartfelt greetings, and words of boundless gratitude for the many years of help and faith in Ukraine.
This meeting had a special atmosphere, as the children, parents, and staff warmly congratulated Alan Hilliar and his wife Pauline Craven on their significant achievement — their nomination for a Royal Award in recognition of their longstanding dedication to the Ukrainian people, their support for the Revival Centre for Medical and Social Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities, their assistance to people with disabilities (both children and adults), to socially disadvantaged families, and their contribution to solving social issues in Chernihiv and other regions of Ukraine.
The story of this remarkable couple’s charity work began back in 1995. Their desire to help those in need led to the creation, in 2005, of the charitable organisation Felsted Aid for Deprived Children, known since 2009 as UK-AID. For many years, this organisation has carried out noble and vital work — supporting children with disabilities, low-income families, hospitals, educational institutions, and people facing difficult life circumstances.
Their support is especially valuable now, as Ukraine fights for its freedom and peace. In a time when every act of help carries immense meaning, our British friends remain close — not in words, but in deeds, sincere and selfless.
As a sign of deep respect and gratitude to the citizens of Great Britain, who collect aid for Ukraine every day, the children unfolded the flags of Ukraine and Great Britain at the end of the celebration.
We sincerely thank our British friends for their faith, warmth, and constant support of Ukraine during these challenging times. You are true messengers of kindness and humanity — and part of our great Ukrainian family!
