Epsom’s Ashley Centre stands with Ukraine

The Ashley Centre in Epsom provided premises in the Mall to Surrey Stands With Ukraine rent and bills free since 7th March 2022. Now the unit is required for retailing. The Ashley Centre continues its generosity to the people of Ukraine by permitting the Epsom based charity to operate a kiosk in the public court. In addition the Ashley Centre owners are providing a large partitioned office space in Global House in adjacent Ashley Avenue. Here, Surrey Stands With Ukraine and the Epsom Refugee Network can carry on their activities. Processing donated goods destined for Ukraine and providing English classes and advice sessions to Ukrainian refugees.

Image: SSWU volunteers Rob and Anne-Marie Carlin with Epsom and Ewell Mayor Clive Woodbridge beside the new kiosk in the Ashley Centre 3rd September.

Alan Avis of Surrey Stands With Ukraine spoke to Epsom and Ewell Times. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the public, the Ashley Centre for our rent free accommodation and to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council for waiving all business rates. In six months SSWU has raised £200,000 and sent 40 vans to Ukraine filled with an estimated £1,000,000 worth of essential humanitarian supplies. The mission continues in our new and excellent facilities”.

The manager of the Ashley Centre, Jacqui McGeeghan told The Times “We are proud to have such strong links with the community and when we were approached to support the community and Ukrainian families we did not hesitate. The Ashley Centre has provided a dedicated space, The Ukrainian Hub, to allow the local team to operate a central donation point. In addition, the space acted as a platform to reach out to our loyal visitors and raise awareness for the efforts to raise money, food and medicine for local Ukrainians, and supporting their own families living in Ukraine in this difficult time of war.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to assist the charity and to date, the local initiative has been exceptionally well supported. As a result, the organisation has collected much-needed supplies and supported many of the Ukrainian families in the Epsom & Ewell community at this most crucial time”.