Romsey artist Debbie Daks is raising funds for Ukraine’s Okhmatdyt children’s hospital with her most recent artwork.
The bright and cheerful original art features Australian animals and will be shipped to the hospital in Kyiv. Prints and postcards of the artwork will be sold at Romsey’s Community Co-op to raise funds.
Okhmatdyt is Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital and suffered major damage in a war air strike earlier this year.
That July strike is believed to have killed at least 42 civilians and injured at least 190 in the impacted area.
The hospital’s director reported severe damage to several departments, including the intensive care units and oncology and surgical wings. It completely destroyed the toxicology and trauma departments.
According to Ukraine reports, hundreds of children were evacuated immediately after air raid sirens sounded but 10 patients were injured in the attack and one later died.
Ms Daks plans to visit the hospital during a trip to the country next year and has been invited to host art workshops with the children.
“I made a promise to them that I’m coming. I would be there now if I could,” she said.
Ms Daks was diagnosed with breast cancer in March this year and has been undergoing treatment. She has found creating art a helpful part of the healing process and looks forward to spreading its joy.
“I understand the importance of having cheerful things around when going through treatment,” she said.
“It’s also good for me to be painting and to be able to focus on fundraising.”
Her efforts are in honour of her friend and Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Stefan Romaniw who died earlier this year.
Ms Daks had worked closely with Mr Romaniw in the creation of various art projects in and around Melbourne with the organisation.
Her interest in supporting the Ukraine community stemmed from friendships she formed with dog breeders in Ukraine – Ms Daks’ other passion.
Mr Romaniw awarded Ms Daks with a Tryzub medal earlier this year in recognition of her efforts.
“I wanted to create something as a dedication to Stefan. He was a driving force behind the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations,” Ms Daks said.
“He was like ‘the king of the kids’ – so I created this as a fundraiser for the hospital.”
Romsey Community Co-op, on Main Street, will sell Ms Daks’ themed prints and postcards with all funds to be directed to the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria.
