Flagging!

WE STAND WITH UKRAINE

As you drive around Manchester there are electronic signs flashing this message. Posters, shop signs, businesses, badges, t-shirts, bags, we are all in support of Ukraine. There is a global hatred of Putin, but also a fear. Is he a power mad dictator who is capable of pushing the button, the button we all dread? What are his long term plans? Will he stop at the Ukraine? Is this the start of World War 3? How can one man, one man in seven billion, cause so much suffering, so much pain and so many deaths?

My sister works for Oxfam, she is currently on the border of Ukraine, there to help the refugees flooding out of their country. In her first message back to us she said the number of people crossing into Romania was breathtaking. It is worrying knowing she is there, but I’m proud of what she does. I haven’t heard from her all week and that is hard. I know she is busy and often in areas where reception is poor but I’m waiting for a text, even if it is just a thumbs up. Whilst I’m waiting for that I know there are thousands of Ukrainian women and children waiting to hear from the men they left behind. We are all waiting, all holding our breath, all reaching out to loved ones.

There were reports of a blood donation centre being bombed by the Russians. On the NHSBT yammer site there was a post wondering if we will send a lorry out with equipment. I’ve added to the comments that if they need volunteers then I’ll go. I doubt they will, but who knows. Some people can fight, some can give money, some can provide refuge…I’m a damn good vampire. So, if they need a needler then they can count on me.

I was travelling to a session on Friday, driving behind a trailer on the motorway.

I handed my phone to my colleague and asked her to take a photo of the trailer as I was driving. “It’s the colours of Ukraine,” I answered to her questioning look. I knew then that I would spend the day looking for the colours in our equipment, team and donors. I think the team are used to these whims of mine. They tolerate them and join in and help me. I hope it makes them smile and they enjoy them, but I am grateful that they humour me.

Sunshine and blue skies helped whilst we unloaded at Padiham and there was my next ‘flag’.

Once we started looking there were blues and yellows everywhere.

From pens to labels and even on the snack table.

On donors too….

Some blues and yellows just happened naturally

Others we manufactured.

Things were starting to get silly when we set up the melon shot, so before it got out of hand (pardon the pun) I rallied the troops for a group flag shot.

One lady was reading a book whilst donating. When I took her needle out I commented on it as it was a book on hoop gymnastics. It turns out she does it and teaches it. “Oh, I wish you were in blue and yellow and had a hoop with you,” I laughed. Well, she only said that she would sort a few photos out for me in the next few days as she loved the whole idea….and she will do something with her students too. As soon as I get the photos I’ll add them on here.

On the way home it was fitting that the sign at the end of the motorway flashed up this…

I thought my quest for ‘finding the flag’ was over, but then I went down to Salford Quays for a swim. The sun was shining, the water was seven degrees, the girls were gathered and the sky was blue. Uswim were flying the flag and so my challenge continued.

It was absolutely perfect when one of the gang took her dryrobe off and she matched the flag!

This challenge will continue. My hoop gymnastic donor will hopefully pose for pics, I’ll spot more signs, colleagues will pose and there will be other little moments that just appear.

It might seem frivolous to be taking all these photos whilst Ukraine suffers, but maybe these signs are little moments of positivity, little flags that keep us aware or maybe they will inspire some hotshot sniper to take out Putin…..I’ve got my fingers crossed for the latter.