BwD council apprentice writes poem for Ukraine victims

Ukrainian families and residents joined with civic leaders at Blackburn Town Hall yesterday (February 24) to mark the first anniversary of the Ukraine war.

The council’s digital apprentice, Brayden Hartley, 17, crafted a poignant poem titled, ‘Poem for Ukraine’ to present to the Ukrainian evacuees staying in the borough.

Brayden's poem

“Praying for peace, showing love and support

“Ukrainian soldiers, on numbers cut short

“Assets destroyed and many hearts torn

“Families distraught, left only to mourn

“We fight together as evil will fade

“We stand with courage, not to be afraid

“Those brave warriors, battling for their streets

“Evil shall struggle as good will compete 

“We show our unity, and stand as one

“War on earth has a place for none.”

Poem for Ukraine by Brayden Hartley (Image: BwD council)

His thoughtful words were accompanied by a symbolic sunflower hand painted by the council’s team mate Libby Whitham.

The poem, pictures and sunflower seeds, the national flower of Ukraine, were presented as a small token to our Ukrainian evacuees staying here in the borough with their host families.

They were invited, along with civic dignitaries including the town’s MP Kate Hollern and the Very Reverend Dean of Blackburn Peter Howell-Jones to Blackburn Town Hall to mark a one minute silence - showing solidarity with the Ukrainian community.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Hearing the reflections of one brave evacuee was a stark, human reminder of the impact this war is having on all those living in its shadows.

“Holding back the tears whilst thinking of her parents still home in Ukraine, she stood in front of the Council chamber to recount her terrifying memories from the morning she heard the first bomb.  

“We can only imagine how difficult this is for anyone in this situation.

“Tonight, the town’s historic King George’s Hall is lit up in blue and yellow to show that together we stand in solidarity.”