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Coleen Rooney says Unicef support for Ukrainian families is a ‘lifeline'

Coleen Rooney says Unicef support for Ukrainian families is a ‘lifeline'

The media personality recently travelled to Poland with Unicef to see how Soccer Aid donations have directly supported Ukrainian families who were forced to flee their homes.
The 39-year-old said she could not 'imagine' what Ukrainian refugee families must be going through, emphasising how important it is to stand with them.
Coleen Rooney, right, talks to Yuliia Karpenko in a park near Krakow main train station (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA)
She said: 'I can relate to being a mum and the first thing (you would do) in that situation is to get out of danger, to make sure that the kids are OK and we can find somewhere.
'I couldn't imagine what was going through their heads… the emotions.'
While in Krakow she visited the Spilno Hub, which helps families find accommodation and offers access to a range of services such as psychosocial support and legal assistance.
The Unicef-run centre has helped people such as Yuliia Karpenko, her sister Olisia and Yuliia's four-year-old daughter Anastasiia 'Nastia' who were forced to flee Ukraine with just one bag on an evacuation train.
She said: 'Hearing about the lasting effect the war in Ukraine has had on Yuliia and her family will stay with me for a long time.
'Her determination to create a safe and supportive community for her family in Poland really shone through.
'Thanks to Unicef, she's been able to meet other mums, learn Polish and find work in a kitchen.
'And her daughter, Nastia, has been able to make friends with other children and spend time playing, just as any four-year-old should.
Coleen Rooney with children and workers of the Sun Centre during classes (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA)
'It was a privilege meeting Yuliia and her family and to see how money raised by Soccer Aid for Unicef really is changing lives.
'Leaving their home and not knowing when they'll be able to return was so hard for them.
'But spending time at the Spilno Hub has helped them to feel safe.
'It supports families who've fled the war in Ukraine in so many ways.
'It's a very special place.'
During the trip, Rooney visited the Education Rehabilitation Centre, a specialist school funded by the children's organisation which supports young people with disabilities.
There she met a young autistic boy, Murat, who could not talk when they first left Ukraine and has since been able to say a few words.
She said: 'It's such a calming place and the teachers there are so supportive and caring.
Coleen Rooney (right) with Murat during a sensory therapy class (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA)
'Kateryna (Murat's mother) told me that the changes she's seen in Murat have been incredible.
'When they left Ukraine he wasn't able to talk but he's now started to say some words and can communicate with other children too.
'She said that when they arrived in Poland she felt hopeless but, thanks to Unicef, she can now see a future there for them.'
Donations made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled this year up to £5 million thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation.
Rooney said: 'As a mum myself, I couldn't help but think of my own boys when I met children like Nastia and Murat.
'Seeing them smile and play despite everything they've been through was incredibly moving.
'Hearing their stories really reminded me how important it is that we stand with families who've been through so much, every child deserves a safe space to play – as a parent this is all you want for your child.'
To donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef and support children around the world, visit socceraid.org.uk/donate.

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The 'welcoming' Scottish Refugee Festival that shows how food can unite us
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  • Scotsman

The 'welcoming' Scottish Refugee Festival that shows how food can unite us

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Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson seen in first awkward exchange on the Soccer Aid training pitch months after singer started dating TV star's ex Zara McDermott
Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson seen in first awkward exchange on the Soccer Aid training pitch months after singer started dating TV star's ex Zara McDermott

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson seen in first awkward exchange on the Soccer Aid training pitch months after singer started dating TV star's ex Zara McDermott

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The pair were seen having a kick about with their fellow players wearing the same blue football kit. But it seems that Sam and Louis will still be keeping their distance from each other in the changing rooms as they have separated spaces. As Sam arrived at the three training days he put on a brave face for photos, while beaming Louis was captured arriving and making his way onto the pitch. And Zara showed her support for her new boyfriend Louis the night before, as she cooked the pair a 'creamy salmon pasta for dinner', as she captured the plate with the singers guitar noticeably in the background. Sam and former Love Islander Zara, 28, split after five years earlier this year and she has quickly moved on with Louis. The new couple have enjoyed a loved-up getaway at his home in LA and to Costa Rica together after Louis flew his new flame out to the island first-class. Meanwhile I'm A Celeb winner Sam has moved on with Love Island beauty Samie Eilshi, 25. 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And if he was both angry and devastated, that would be understandable. 'But he's not sitting around wallowing in self pity, far from it.' Zara and Sam were together for five years before they split at the end of 2024 shortly after the Made In Chelsea favourite worked in Australia for I'm A Celeb spinoff show Unpacked. This year's Soccer Aid for Unicef match airs on the evening of Sunday 15 June on ITV1 and ITVX from Old Trafford, Manchester.

Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson finally meet as they smile at awkward meeting
Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson finally meet as they smile at awkward meeting

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson finally meet as they smile at awkward meeting

Singer Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson finally met face to face for the first time at Soccer Aid training today. Both lads are playing for the same England team for Unicef - the charity for which Sam recently completed a gruelling 260-mile marathon over five days. Normally, charity football matches aren't awkward affairs, but thanks to One Direction singer currently dating Sam's ex, things could a little tense on the pitch this weekend. Despite former Made In Chelsea star Sam insisting there's 'no hard feelings', the meeting is likely to be a bit awkward, given that he and Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott, 28, announced their split in January after being together for over five years. Zara has since swiftly moved on with singer Louis, 33, and the loved-up pair have been practically inseparable since their relationship came into the public eye in March. As Sam turned up for the training, he put on a brave face for the cameras, while a beaming Louis was spotted arriving with a black sports bag. Zara McDermott showed her support for her new beau Louis the night before by whipping up a 'creamy salmon pasta for dinner', with the singer's guitar noticeably in the background of the photo she shared. One Direction fans were taken aback seeing Zara cozy up with Louis for the first time earlier this year, leading Sam to quip about the pair shortly after their connection hit the headlines. Reflecting on possible reasons for swift romantic transitions, he remarked: "I suppose a lot of people look for validation in other people right? And they look for the next person instantly because it's like 'I need to find someone else to fill that hole and I need to find that excitement.'". But Sam seemed a little more level-headed during a podcast chat with buddy Pete Wicks. Sam revealed an interview question that drew attention to their looming interaction. He recounted: "At the end of the interview, he goes, 'Look mate, I've got to ask the question that everyone wants to know. This is sort of the big question really, the elephant in the room, What's it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he's doing Soccer Aid too.'". Sam recounted the tense moment with a laugh: "Mate, you should have seen the room, everybody, it was silent then everyone goes 'Woah, Woah Woah, end the call! End the call!' and I have just gone 'No, no guys, I've got this, I've got this.' I held my hands up to say just relax." He expressed his genuine intentions, saying, "I think I did alright and I meant everything I said as well, that it's not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating, it's f**king Unicef and charity and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason. And if he has anything about him which I've heard he does, he's going to sit there and say the exact same thing." In an interview with The Mirror in May, Sam shared his anticipation of meeting Louis: "I've never met Louis, but the moment I see him, I'll be like, 'mate, how amazing is this what we're doing, and hopefully we can make as much money as possible. "And I imagine – from what I hear is a really lovely bloke – I imagine the reply will be exactly the same." Having raised over £1.5 million for Unicef through his athletic endeavours, Sam told us, "I am totally broken - but so happy. The fact this challenge has grabbed everyone's attention is just so incredible and I have just been blown away!".

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