MEMBERS of Warrington’s Ukrainian community travelled to Liverpool for an ‘emotional but enjoyable’ football experience.

Guests from the war-torn country who are staying in the town visited Goodison Park on Friday, July 29, for a ‘Match for Peace’ friendly against Dynamo Kyiv.

The Everton Merseyside club welcomed around 2,000 Ukrainians for the pre-season game, including 100 guests from Warrington.

Proceeds from the game, including supporter donations, will go directly to humanitarian charities supporting the people of Ukraine.

The trip was organised by the Ukrainian hub based in Culcheth, but which operates across the town, including a coach to transport them there and back.

Although the popular away team lost 3-0 to The Toffees, hub volunteer Kate McCarthy says the evening was ‘amazing’.

“What Everton did was fantastic, and it meant a lot to the guests,” she said.

“Unfortunately, Kyiv lost 3-0, but it was not really about that. For me it is about keeping Ukraine as a focus in our minds.

Volunteers at the Ukrainian community hub, which is based in Culcheth

Volunteers at the Ukrainian community hub, which is based in Culcheth

“It is very easy to forget what is going on there at the minute and forget that there are still people that still need support.

“Everyone really enjoyed the day and it was also really emotional, with the national anthem sung before kick-off, so it was not just a football game.

“It was about everyone being together, and there was a huge crowd of Ukrainian people with flags sat together. The atmosphere was amazing.”

The trip was funded by the community, with the hub having previously organised trips to Chester Zoo and Gulliver’s World, while a visit to the Lake District is also being arranged.

The hub is going ‘really well’, Kate says, with an event to celebrate Ukrainian National Independence Day planned for later this month.

A large community is being formed, with more than 100 Ukrainian guests using the hub, which offers support, advice and friendship.

The hub is Based at The Daten at Culcheth Sports Club on Charnock Road, with the aim being to make settling into Warrington as easy a process as possible.

For more information about the hub, visit facebook.com/groups/ukrainianhubwarrington or call Kate on 07776142938.