Southwell couple who organised Clap for Ukraine initiative shares the success of initiative over the weekend
The sound of clapping echoed through a town centre over the weekend as the community joined forces for a demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine.
Simon Hollingsworth and his partner, Catherine Wilson, of Southwell, decided that following the news that US President Donald Trump has suspended all military aid for Ukraine, they needed to take a stand.
What started with plans for a simple doorstep clap in Southwell, quickly evolved into a whole weekend plan with a collective clap by traders and residents, with simultaneous claps taking part elsewhere across the country — and even garnering international attention.
On Saturday (March 8) at 1pm, dozens of business owners and their customers stood outside to clap in support of Ukraine. Some of the shops that joined the initiative include Burley’s, Studio Lingerie, Co-op, Sweets of Southwell, Core, Real Clothing, Hen House, Boots, Gossips, Labels, Stoppards, and Market Traders.
Catherine said: “It has definitely exceeded my expectations because when I started it, I thought it would just be a doorstep clap and then we had the whole town on Saturday.
“I think to organise something like that to happen within 48 hours is a success.
"The reception we had was overwhelming, it was more than positive. It was really of sympathy.
"All the traders were brilliant, fully on board with it. It just showed how united people are in their feelings."
On Sunday (March 9), the support for Ukraine continued as residents gathered at The Old Coach House and The Full Moon Morton and on their home doorsteps for another round of clapping at 7pm.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Catherine expressed her pride in the community's response and how the community managed to get together for something this big within a matter of days.
Further afield, family and friends of the couple also organised claps in their home towns, from Hull, West Sussex, and Margate to Edingley, London, and Bingham.
“We set a spark, but we didn’t do it on our own by any stretch of the imagination,” the organiser added.
Catherine said that one of the most touching moments came from a young girl who participated in the clap and said she couldn’t wait to share the experience at school, especially with her Ukrainian classmate.
The idea’s influence has now spread beyond Southwell, with neighbouring villages like Edingley reaching out to ask about continuing the event weekly.
There are no plans for a future Clap for Ukraine in Southwell but Catherine said that it would be lovely if other villages and towns welcomed the idea.
Instead, Simon and Catherine have now set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the Ukrainian charity Ruh Nezlamnykh, which supports internally displaced residents of the now destroyed town of Popasna in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region. People can donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/clapforukraine.
“Even if we raise just £200 pounds, I know we will still make a difference,” Catherine added, “The money is going to real people from a real town in Ukraine.
“And the success of what we have done is judged by the messages we've received from Ukraine and Ukrainians, they are very, very, very grateful and very, very moved.
“We know that some Ukrainians really felt the support and that is what we wanted.
“It wasn't a gesture, it was about getting through to people in Ukraine and just like the original message said — Donald Trump and his friends do not speak for us.”
