We, like all the world, have been deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked outbreak of war in Ukraine during this past week, and we wish to express our thoughts and support to all those affected.

Many members of the Christ Church community have come together to take action. The JCR passed an emergency motion to donate £1000 to the International Rescue Committee, and the GCR are donating a further £1000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross. A group fundraiser has also been created by the students, to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which combines 13 charities' fundraising efforts and is being matched by the UK Government.

An initial group fundraiser to the British Red Cross raised £545. 

However, to make the most of the Government’s matched funding, the students have opened a new justgiving page. So far over £3,700 has been raised by members of the House past and present for the crisis in Ukraine.

Alumni, family, and friends are welcome to continue donating in any capacity they can to add to students’ contributions. The link to the fundraiser can be found here. 

In addition to financial support, the College community has come together to offer one another empathy, resilience, and a space to process such unjustifiable violence.

Students, staff, and friends were welcomed to a vigil in the Chapter House last Thursday, a space for quiet and reflection, in which our community offered prayers, remembrance and thoughts for all those living in uncertainty.

The Cathedral has lit a candle on the Shrine of St Frideswide (whose name means ‘strong peace’) and it will remain burning as long as this crisis lasts. All are welcome to come into the Cathedral anytime between 7am and 7pm to light a candle, visit the shrine, offer a prayer or just sit in the quiet. The Cathedral’s regular services will all be offering prayers for this situation as well.  

The GCR will also be holding a Charity Formal in Hall on Monday, in aid of the Ukrainian relief effort. There will be a minute of silence after grace and a box for donations to The Ukraine Crisis Appeal by the British Red Cross will be available. Attendees are invited to dress in yellow and blue, and we are also hoping to light up Tom Tower in blue and yellow on that evening.

Many members of the community were also present for a protest in Radcliffe Square, alongside hundreds of people from across Oxford. Anyone wishing to know more about the protest can read the Cherwell’s article here: https://cherwell.org/2022/02/27/ukraine-protest2/.   

The University’s response to the invasion of Ukraine, including advice and support for staff, students and alumni impacted, can be found here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/university-response-invasion-ukraine.  

We would again like to express our strong support for the people of Ukraine, and all those affected by this unprovoked and senseless tragedy.