The Mayor of Richmond accepted the donation of a white willow tree from the borough's Ukrainian community yesterday.

The tree was planted during a ceremony at Cambridge Gardens, on the banks of the Thames, which was attended by Ukrainian families, local volunteers and dignatories.

The tree was donated by the Prosperity Centre - Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine, which grew into a massive donation hub for vital supplies, including medical equipment, to be shipped to the country.

The organisation, which was started at the Ukrainian Prosperity Café, in York Street, Twickenham, has sorted, loaded and sent 100 trucks to Ukraine - all filled with aid to help hospitals, civilians and the military.

The tree was planted during a ceremony at Cambridge Gardens.

When the full-scale war broke out in Ukraine in February last year, Halyna Kosynska and Oleksandr (Alex) Yarema, who run Prosperity, took the decision to close Prosperity's doors as a restaurant and instead put the space to use helping those in need.

They have been supported by a large group of local volunteers, schools and other community groups.

Prosperity has now become one of the central donation hubs for humanitarian aid for Ukraine in the South-East of England.

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The Mayor of Richmond accepted the donation of a white willow tree from the borough's Ukrainian community yesterday.

A spokesman said: "Thank you to all those people in the UK who made this possible. United, we fight for peace.

"And thank you to all the residents of Richmond Borough for your support. This white willow is for you from the Ukraine community you have helped unconditionally."

Details on how to support the group can be found here - https://www.londondonationsforukraine.org/

The tree was planted by the Mayor, Cllr Julia Cambridge, supported by the Council leader, Cllr Gareth Roberts.

The Council is still looking for hosts to support Ukrainian guests under the government's #HomesForUkraine scheme.

People who live in Richmond and are able to help can get information at this link - https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/foreign_national_resettlement/ukrainian_nationals/residents_support_for_ukrainian_nationals

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They have been supported by a large group of local volunteers, schools and other community groups.