Ryman Healthcare residents in Australia and New Zealand have come together to spread love and support to displaced Ukrainian children with approximately 14,000 bears being knitted in just six months.
The Yuri-bear initiative was started by Debra Richardson, Ryman’s Victorian Sales Manager. Debra fostered an 11-year-old boy named Yuri from Ukraine following the Chernobyl disaster. Three decades later after having reconnected with him, Debra came up with a bear in his honour to send to displaced Ukrainian children as a gesture of love and support.
“I have been completely overwhelmed by the response of Ryman residents, many of whom are avid knitters. For months now they’ve come together to hand knit these special bears in the hope of bringing some joy to a very dark situation,” Debra says.
Transporting tens of thousands of bears across the globe is no easy feat, and Debra was overwhelmed by the response of Ryman residents who were eager to help. “Thankfully, freight forwarding company, Mondiale VGL, generously donated one and will manage the transportation for us,” she said.
The bears will be packed and sent this week via sea, to be distributed on the ground by aid organisation Kiwi K.A.R.E. Ray Meade, Group CEO for Mondiale VGL, said, “We are pleased to be able to provide the means of transport for the Yuri Bears to Ukraine and work with Ryman Healthcare on this fantastic initiative.”
The Yuri-bear initiative has touched the heart of the man who inspired it, now a member of Ukraine’s security forces. “So many miles between us, but I feel the love and support of my Australian mommy Debra, because we are close in minds!” he said.
The initiative is a testament to the power of love and kindness, even in difficult times. It shows that small acts of kindness can have a big impact on the lives of others. Let’s continue to spread positivity and kindness wherever we can, just like the residents of Ryman Healthcare.