Ukrainian 'gratitude bench' unveiled in Ilkley

The blue and yellow colours of the bench represent the Ukranian flag

A Ukrainian "bench of gratitude" is to be formally unveiled in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, to thank residents for all their help.

The blue and yellow bench - the colours of the country's flag - will be unveiled at Riverside Gardens in a ceremony to coincide with Vyshyvanka Day.

Vyshyvanka Day, which was on Thursday, celebrates the embroidered clothing Ukrainian women wear so the community will all be in their traditional dress, one of the organisers said.

Larisa Korol told the BBC: "The bench is from the Ukrainian community for all those who have helped us over the past two years."

Ms Korol is the communications coordinator for a local group called ISSUE, which supports Ukrainians in Ilkley.

She said they wanted to gather this Sunday to present the bench as a "small sign of gratitude".

"We have put it in the centre of the park with a plaque that says 'thank you people of Ilkley for helping us in our hour of need'," she said.

Local Ukrainian children will cut the rope to present the bench and there will also be singing and dancing.

As well as being dressed in traditional Ukrainian outfits, there will also be embroidered shawls, dresses and pictures for sale, to raise money.

Ms Korol said: "On Vyshyvanka Day Ukrainians all over the world wear the traditional shawls and dresses to show each other we are here and together."

Larisa Korol is one of the organisers of the event and got her inspiration for a bench from her father

The idea for a bench came about because Ms Korol's father volunteers in the local park mending and painting benches - so she has spent time reading the different messages on them.

"Painting it our colours means it will be more visible and remind people we are here - and a sign of gratitude every day," she said.

Ms Korol came to the UK two years ago with her parents and children and now works in a construction company in Leeds.

The plaque on the bench thanks the people of Ilkley

She lived with a Ilkley host for a year but now has her own place.

Ms Korol added: "Last April we moved to an apartment and the children are happy and settled now in school. "

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