Invasion Day +33 Please read on for the launch of our 'Hogswards.' Meanwhile...also in the blog today... Ukraine is littered with destroyed Russian hardware of every type from tanks in their hundreds to battle helicopters and planes, every one bringing more of Putin's misery home to Russian parents. And yet the bombardment still goes on as Putin takes ever more desperate measures to shore up his crumbling invasion. Forcible deportation into concentration camps he describes euphemistically as 'filtration camps', kidnapping, rape, false flag operations, illegal weaponry, the murder of innocent civilians, deceptions and lies at every turn. The war must be stopped and it is sadly only through a concentrated total effort by those who fight on for freedom and democracy that Putin will finally be stopped. Any concessions now will only store up future invasions, future Putin wars, until someone, somewhere, stops him. Once and for all. Reports coming in suggest Russian ground forces have more than met their match in the field despite outnumbering the Ukrainians and are being forced to retreat in many places. And that is because of the amazing unification of all Ukraine caused by the invasion, the solidarity of every household to fight the invaders using every means at their disposal. It is stunning and deserving of all the support we can give them. Slava Ukraini!
Today we launch 'Hogswards.' Again, something positive to offer more glimmers of hope. We have held off launching our 'Hogswards' initiative in order not to put lives at any further risk, even if slightly, but today, feeling a sense of growing confidence for the future of a free Ukraine, we launch them. Each day from today whilst the blog runs, we make a 'Hogsward', or maybe several, sent in by our readers and supporters.
'Hogswards' (as in 'Hoggy's Awards') are given for all those people in Ukraine or elsewhere, nominated by you as Ukrainian Heroes, you the wonderful blog supporters are invited to chose your story of heroism from the many and send it to us please, (we are over 500 on the blog site now!). 'Hogswards' are for just a few of all those many thousands and thousands of brave people who we agree should be given special acknowledgement for the contribution they have made to inspiring freedom and the struggle for peace and democracy in Ukraine.
The award is a mention of them here with their story and the planting of sunflower seeds by you in a place of your choosing for Ukraine.
Today: 'Hogsward No.1'
This goes to the lady, as yet unnamed, in Henychesk, Kherson province, who, on the 27th February 2022, challenged a Russian soldier by asking him to leave her country and if he did not then he was to put sunflower seeds in his pocket so they would grow in Ukrainian soil after his death. The nomination comes from the Lewis family of Scarborough UK who have today, as the 'Hogsward,' planted a packet of sunflowers in their garden in honour of this now legendary lady.
If you would like to nominate a legend of Ukraine for a 'Hogsward' please mail Hoggy at hoggytheyimp@gmail.com or through your usual contact channels. We look forward to hearing your nominations!
Today's Letters:
Dear Hoggy,
Let's hear it for Lego!
We would like to show you our little bit of support for Ukraine. Isla, who is five, has started to build a new house in Lego for the people who have lost their homes. She wants to help them. She has drawn a plan of the house and is making it after school. And she says 'this is for Ukraine'. She also wanted to dress up in Ukrainian colours and ride her scooter for Ukraine so here are some pictures of her doing both.
We hope it might help bring a smile or some hope to someone out in Ukraine.
Good luck with the blog Hoggy.
Isla and the Webb family.
North Yorkshire,
Dear Isla and all the Webb family,
Thank you so much, what a fantastic idea. Well done Isla! Please keep building the Lego house: it is a strong message isn't it- that we are all standing with Ukraine.
And wearing blue and yellow and riding a blue scooter is also a message that one day normal life will return to their country and people can live once more in peace. Thank you so much for sending these pictures in.
And yes, let's hear it for Lego! Did you know they, through their foundations, are giving 16.5 million US dollars to the Ukrainian relief fund right now? That's about 2% of their annual turnover. This is a fantastic help to all the children who are suffering so much at the moment.
Lego already support children throughout the world and have recently donated 600 MRI scanners to hospitals to help with childhood diseases.
They are incredible. We acknowledge all at Lego wherever they are and hope that their two hundred employees and their families in Ukraine will all be safe.
Best wishes to you all in North Yorkshire too.
Hoggy
Please keep writing in everyone and now please also send in your nomination for the 'Hogswards'! Thank you all. Full details of the book 'Sunflowers for Ukraine' will be released shortly. Hoggy.
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