Buy a pack of Sow Now sunflower seeds at SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide to raise funds for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal
A Ukrainian mother-of-three who has found a safe home in Ireland has started an initiative to raise funds for those left behind in the war-torn country.
Tetiana Pankiv felt helpless thinking of her husband and family members at home in Lviv in Western Ukraine, and with the help of her host Jacqui Nabb, came up with the idea of selling sunflower seeds.
What started as a small idea sparked a volunteer movement in their community in Tullow, that is now a nationwide campaign.
From 29 April, you can pick up a pack of Sow Now sunflower seeds for just €5 in SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide. Ukrainian families in Tullow who wanted to find a way to give back teamed up with local volunteers to pack 100,000 packets of sunflower seeds.
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They hope to make €500,000 for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
“This is an incredible initiative in support of the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal – and is another example of the profound empathy and support that people throughout Ireland have shown for the millions of Ukrainians whose lives have been so profoundly impacted by the ongoing conflict. The Irish Red Cross is proud to be a part of the International Red Cross Movement to be in a position to provide aid in Ukraine, the surrounding countries and here in Ireland,” Charlie Lamson, Head of Fundraising with the Irish Red Cross said.
The aim is to encourage everyone to plant the seeds together on 19 May, as a gesture of hope and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The sunflowers will bloom in August-September.
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Main image: Kristina Paukshtite