A FUNDRAISER was held in Allendale on Sunday, April 10 to support the people of Ukraine.

The charity Allen Valleys Help for Ukraine held the Ukrainian Dumpling Cafe at Allendale Village Hall, where volunteers served Varenykys, which are potato and onion dumplings, beetroot soup, and sausage rolls.

Hexham Courant: COOK: Volunteers in the kitchen preparing food. Image: Kate MaughanCOOK: Volunteers in the kitchen preparing food. Image: Kate Maughan

Lisa Brown, who used to be a chef, was involved with the cooking, and was one of several volunteers who were taught how to make Varenykys dumplings by Maria Harding and her son Artem, a Ukrainian family living in Allendale.

Lisa said: "It was really lovely, the support has been incredible."

Hexham Courant: CAKE: Some of the cakes that were available. Image: Kate Maughan CAKE: Some of the cakes that were available. Image: Kate Maughan

The charity was inspired to organise this fundraiser through following the efforts of Olia Hercules, co-founder of #CookforUkraine, and Martha Jackson of the Pink Lane Bakery in Newcastle, who attended the event to help roll Varenykys.

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Hexham Courant: AUTHENTIC: Volunteers cooked authentic Ukrainian dishes. Image: Kate MaughanAUTHENTIC: Volunteers cooked authentic Ukrainian dishes. Image: Kate Maughan

Holly Clay volunteered to help organise the event and decorate the village hall.

She said everyone was willing to contribute, from donating flowers and meat, to peeling potatoes, to others who brought trumpets to play music outside.

Hexham Courant: COMMUNITY: People at the fundraiser enjoying the sun. Image: Kate MaughanCOMMUNITY: People at the fundraiser enjoying the sun. Image: Kate Maughan

"The mix of generations and backgrounds of folk that came was really great. The other important thing was how real a connection it made to Ukraine, because the food was authentic, the flavours and textures and ingredients were new to many there, that created a very real connection that affected the atmosphere and conversation," she said.

The event raised more than £3,000.

"It raised much more money than I thought possible. The Ukrainian tea blend was delicious, the music was lovely, and the sun shone," Lisa said.

Hexham Courant: DUMPLING: Making the dumplings at the event. Image: Daniel GiulianiDUMPLING: Making the dumplings at the event. Image: Daniel Giuliani

"The dumpling rolling at the awning raised around £800 I think, and there was just a really lovely feeling of community, of people being warm and generous."

The charity is deciding how to split the profits from the event, and Lisa says they are considering donating half to Olia Hercules' #CookforUkraine movement.

Hexham Courant: ROLL: The dumpling making process. Image Daniel GiulianiROLL: The dumpling making process. Image Daniel Giuliani

"It seemed to hit a chord. There were young kids on the till collecting money, older teenagers who helped plate up, the men did the washing up, and lots of older people helped in the kitchen," she said.

Holly added: "It was very special that some of the first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in Hexham came with their hosts and met those of us organising the event."

To donate to the Allen Valleys Just Giving page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding.