A KENDAL man has been nominated for Person of the Week thanks to his contributions toward a special fundraiser for the people of Ukraine and Romania.

Sam was one of the members of a group from Gateway Church in Kendal who took it upon themselves to visit the countries to take part of an important fundraising ventures.

The church’s fundraiser saw them raise over £6000 which would be used to buy supplies in Romania.

The church group then travelled out to Europe to assist in the deliverance of supplies to refugees.

The group included Eleanor Ball, a geography teacher, her father outdoor instructor Lathan, Chris Brooks, a builder and project manager and the church’s minister pastor Jonny Gios.

The learning disabilities carer, Sam said: "It's broken my heart to see it.

“To see all these children orphaned and all these women on their own having to flee in fear and then their husbands, partners, sons left there to fight.

“It's just it's ripping families apart.

“One thing I want to say was that it was a team effort and I had such a good team out there. If it wasn’t for all of us none of it would have happened.

“For the person who nominated me, I would like to thank you so much. I am very touched.

“Our Romania and Ukraine trip was a team effort, all five of us.”

The group arrived on April 4 in Romania in Sighisoara and joined up with members of the Association Perspective Danes.

Following a day of orientation, the team bought items at shops to make up the bags of hope to take to the orphanage in Ukraine.

Sam and the others travelled for seven hours by van to the border, then bought items at the local cash and carry that the orphanage needed at that moment.

The person who nominated Sam, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Sam has worked tirelessly throughout lockdown to help the community and also raise money for people with learning disabilities to access activities in the community.

"He raised money for the Ukrainian refugees.

“He visited Romania to help refugees from Ukraine and also helped to raise money for animal sanctuaries in UK and Australia.

“He and his wife Amanda are both extremely kind hearted and hard working.

“I would describe them as kind hearted and hard working.

"Always going the extra mile even when tired or in pain, always willing to help other people.”

The church group is continuing to accept donations and plans are currently being made around providing a meal for arriving refugees in Cumbria fleeing the conflict.

For further donations please visit https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/welcomemealsforukrainians.