A Watford Academy player and son of Ukraine’s greatest ever footballer has become the new ambassador of a project which received recognition at a radio awards ceremony last week.
Kristian Shevchenko, whose father Andriy won more than 100 international caps for Ukraine during a glittering club career at Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan and Chelsea, has agreed to represent the Sunflower Social Club.
The initiative is led by Lauren Fox, the partner of Hornets legend Luther Blissett, and provides wide-ranging help and support to victims of the Ukraine war and is a project of the Watford club ambassador’s charity the Former Players Club.
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Nominated by deputy mayor of Watford Aga Dychton, Lauren’s work was recognised with the presentation of the ‘Big Heart’ award at last Friday’s Heart Hertfordshire Hero Awards ceremony.
Watford’s record goalscorer is “immensely proud” his partner’s project received this acclaim and said: “She has held gala concerts, we have taken a coach of families to Wembley, she has spoken in the Houses of Parliament and we held an exhibition there.
“We have made sure that Watford can boldly say ‘we stand with Ukraine’ in the best way you can.”
Saturday will mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a number of Ukrainian families are due to be guests at Vicarage Road for the Hornets’ Championship fixture against Huddersfield Town.
Blissett said he “extremely honoured” that British veteran Shaun Pinner, who served with the Ukrainian armed forces, was captured during the siege of Mariupol and sentenced to death before being released in a prisoner exchange, will also be a guest of the Sunflower Social Club at the game.
The former England striker is “immensely proud” that Watford Under-18 striker Shevchenko has become an ambassador for the project and remarked: “Now a young Hornet and doing continuing the Taylor-made legacy, using football in a special way to bring club and community together.”
People in Watford are invited to show their support for the Ukrainian community at three events to mark the anniversary.
Cllr Dychton will lead a flag raising ceremony at the Town Hall at 5pm tomorrow with a candlelight vigil arranged by the Sunflower Social Club.
Then on Saturday at 10.30am, mayor Peter Taylor, Blissett and Sunflower Social Club guests will gather for a speech outside the Town Hall to mark the anniversary and to honour those killed and continue to be affected by the conflict.
Watford’s mayor said: “I'm really thankful to the families in Watford who've welcomed Ukrainian residents during this tough period.
“Luther Blissett and Lauren Fox have put in a lot of effort to support Ukrainians, and the events they have hosted at both St Mary’s Church and the Sunflower Social Club have been a source of joy for many.”
Members of Sunflower Social Club will also perform at a 'Ukraine in Herts. Hearts in Ukraine' service at St Mary's Church at 6.30pm on Saturday.
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