Children's library set up in Harborough church for Ukrainian refugees

A children’s library for Ukrainian refugees who have fled the country has been set up in a Market Harborough church.

More than 100 Ukrainian children’s books are now available at the town’s methodist church in Northampton Road after being sent over from the war-torn nation.

A 14-year-old Ukrainian girl who is staying in the town after her family were forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion came up with the idea for the library.

There are about 40 refugee families being hosted in the town by local residents.

The books have been transported to the church from the Dnipro City Library in eastern Ukraine, and all have been donated by Dnipro City Council.

And the cost of shipping proved an issue until members of Harborough District Council stepped in to support the project.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter James said councillors were happy to donate from their own pockets to help with the costs.

He said: “Almost all of the families arriving in Market Harborough had children, they still miss home and being able to read books and learn in their own language. So, the idea of a local Ukrainian Library was born and a plan was drawn up.

“I spoke to some of my colleagues across the coalition on the council and we dug into our pockets and raised the money through a collection. We needed around £140.

“The books had to come via Poland and arrived in the town a couple of weeks ago.

“The Ukrainian community in Market Haborough are delighted as the books will mean so much to their children.”