Town makes friendship with Ukrainian city official

Malmesbury Mayor Phil Exton (centre, with red robe and chain) signed the friendship agreement

A rural Cotswold town has signed an official Friendship Agreement with a Ukrainian city to recognise the support and respect between the two.

Malmesbury, Wiltshire, has fundraised more than £20,000 through a number of events to help the hospital at the city of Cherkasy since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoli Bondarenko, said: “Such support isn't just words, it's concrete actions that inspire and unite."

Malmesbury's mayor, Councillor Phil Exton, said the town hopes to "strengthen those ties and offer support".

“Our bond with Ukraine in general and Cherkasy in particular has grown since the war began two and a half years ago and we are delighted to create a more formal friendship agreement with this city community" he explained.

Malmesbury also marked Ukraine's Independence Day

The formal agreement was signed in an online ceremony at the Town Hall witnessed by guests including the Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire Angus Macpherson MBE and Councillor Gavin Grant from the Malmesbury Stands With Ukraine support group.

Great Somerford resident Natasha Ball comes from Cherkasy and was translator for the ceremony.

Mr Bondarenko said: “On behalf of the entire Cherkasy community, thank you to the residents of Malmesbury for their support.”

Malmesbury is somewhat smaller than Cherkasy, which has around 260,000 people, and sits around 120 miles south of the capital of Kyiv.

The north Wiltshire town has hosted midsummer festivals and festive services, cake sales and quizzes to raise money for its new city friend.