A group of individuals across the village of Paulton and surrounding area have smashed their ambitious target to raise £10,604 for Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

A short timescale of only two weeks to raise the funds started with a JustGiving page and then snowballed from activities such as ribbon making sessions, to a community event held on Sunday. Lots of local businesses supported the cause, with jars and collection boxes placed around the village to ensure the total was reached.

The group, known as Paulton Supports Ukraine, had the idea that if every resident in Paulton was able to donate £2 then they would meet their target, with 5,302 residents believed to live in the Parish.

Sunday saw the culmination of the appeal with a Thanks Event set up in order to host the outcome of the Grand Raffle. Prizes were donated from businesses across B&NES and Bristol, with a Mulberry Handbag, Bath Rugby tickets, and tickets to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Grant Johnson, Councillor for Paulton, had this to say: “We were delighted to receive such a fantastic array of prizes from so many businesses across the local community and further afield. It really was an amazing turn around to get given so much in such a short space of time - a big thanks must go out to them for these contributions.

“We would also like to thank Tesco and the Co-op in Paulton for providing us with such lovely cakes, tea and coffee, along with all the home bakes that were created to support the event.”

Revealing the total on Sunday, Rev Adam Pitt led the event with a moments silence to show our thoughts and solidarity were with the people of Ukraine.

In total the group managed to smash their original target, raising £15,095.85, which was unveiled using a giant cheque and some last minute painting from Adam’s wife Sarah when the pen didn’t work. She had this to say: “Throughout two weeks, a team of people motored together with energy and purpose to raise funds for the humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

“Sunday 20th resulted in great success raising a stunning £15095,85p. With our hearts still focused on the impact of war on the Ukrainian people, we hope our efforts will provide water, medical aid and trauma therapy.”

Mel Rich, one of the organisers said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many people in and around Paulton finding ways to contribute to this appeal. We’ve been brought together in so many ways and managed to show our support for the people suffering in Ukraine in a really meaningful way. I’m so proud of our community.”

Although the total was unveiled on Sunday, the JustGiving page is still live and growing with donations and the sell of ribbons across the Somer Valley.

The total currently stands at £15,544 and counting, so please donate if you can: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paultonwithukraine