Andre and Natalia Ovchinnik have been part of the Barnes RFC community for many years, and Alex their son, has played for Barnes Minis and Juniors all that time, growing up through the age groups, and now is an Under 14’s player. Like many of our youngsters, he was at Barnes Primary. Alex and Andre have also been on the annual Barnes tours, including the legendary on to Laon, and the family have been really committed members of the club. They moved to Bracknell recently, but still come back regularly to Barnes for Alex to play, and train. Alex was playing for Barnes last weekend against Reeds, and one of the other mums was speaking to his Mum Natalia, about the current situation in Eastern Europe. The Ovchinniks are a Ukrainian family, and they are currently in the middle of a complete nightmare, like many of their country men and women.

Last month Andre went back to Ukraine to see his mother, and is now caught up in the conflict. Ukrainian men are now not allowed to leave the country (despite Andre having British citizenship) so he can’t travel home. He may well be required to fight, and Natalia says he is already doing night patrols in the area of Ukraine they are from. As we can all fully understand, Alex and his sisters are very frightened. Natalia is now alone here in the UK , with her three children and, of course, is naturally very distressed.

And this is where the Barnow family can help and make a real difference.

She is trying to rally as much support as she can from people she knows to donate essential items for people still in Ukraine, as well as for those fleeing the fighting. This week, having done a similar campaign for donations in Bracknell they filled 10 cars and 3 mini buses with supplies that are now on the way to Ukraine.

I have been asked me if Barnes RFC club will help collect more of those essential items. You get them to the clubhouse on Sunday 6th March and Natalia will arrange for everything we collect to be transported to Ukraine next week.

I know what amazingly generous people we all are at Barnes RFC, and I would really like us to support one of our own young players, his parents, and all Ukrainians at this horrible time.

Please look at the list of items they need below, and bring your donated items to the club this Sunday 6th March - the clubhouse will be open from 9:30am to 4pm.

Here is the list of items needed urgently:

- power banks (for charging phones)
- large and medium size backpacks
- men’s socks
- camping mats
- sleeping bags
- protein bars/energy bars
- painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen)
- anti-flu medicine(Lemsip etc))
- wound dressing materials
- first aid kits
- blankets
- thermals/base layers
- hot water bottles
- insulated flasks
- baby food (not formula) and baby medicine (like Calpol)
- nappies
- feminine sanitary products
- dry/canned food

NB: they have more than enough clothes at this stage

If you can't get down you can donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/ukrainebrfc

Any donation will be matched to double it!

Onwards and Upwards Barnow and Ukraine!