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.
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.
'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.
'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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Fury as woke council ‘bans fun' by scrapping popular airshow despite it making £60 MILLION for local economy
A WOKE council blamed climate change as it axed a popular air show despite it making £60million for the local economy. The four-day 2 The Bournemouth Air Festival has run for 16 years and attracts 600,000 fans Credit: Getty 2 The local authority scrapped the airshow this year saying it cannot afford £250,000 to stage it and also citing carbon emissions Credit: PA But the cash-strapped local authority said it cannot afford £250,000 to stage it and also cited the carbon emissions the planes and the extra traffic produce as a reason for stopping it. Bosses at the Lib Dem-run council, which has just hired a new chief executive on a salary of £220,000, are accused of being killjoys and lacking ambition. Conservative councillor Phil Broadhead said: 'Saying we don't like planes, therefore we should ban the air festival for the sake of three or four days that brings millions to the local economy is a step too far. 'On that note, we shouldn't be doing anything that generates any carbon whatsoever. read more on red arrows 'What we are doing is banning fun.' Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association chairwoman Rosie Radwell said: 'It is a great shame because the air festival was a big boost for Bournemouth. 'It is a huge loss to the area. 'I don't think tourism is the top priority for this council.' Most read in The Sun Asked about its impact on the climate she said: 'I don't think it was as bad as they said. 'And I don't think it's as bad as they say.' Highlights of the RAF Red Arrows' jaw-dropping displays from 2024 Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney lands new job working alongside fellow Premier League icon
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney has landed a new job which will see him work alongside a fellow Premier League icon. Wazza, 39, has been on the hunt for a fresh gig after 6 Wayne Rooney has landed a new job after leaving Plymouth Argyle Credit: Getty 6 The Man Utd legend is set to link up with another Premier League icon Credit: AFP The And it marked another underwhelming dugout performance following spells at Derby, DC United and Birmingham. Rooney has since He also captained and managed England at Soccer Aid earlier this month, scoring the fastest goal in the charity match's history before ex-United teammate Carlos Tevez banged in four to hand victory to a World XI. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, Rooney is now truly back in the beautiful game after landing a new job. But it is not another managerial stint for England's former captain. Instead, Rooney has linked up with a luxury training camp for children called The company organises half-term retreats for kids and their parents in exotic locations like Cyprus, Portugal and the Maldives. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The children get to spend their time playing football and learning from legends like Rooney. While parents have plenty of free time to rest and relax by the pool. Wayne Rooney names three players Man Utd should sign this summer including transfer for iconic former star 6 Rooney has joined Football Escapes to coach children's football at luxury locations Credit: Instagram @footballescapes 6 Rooney is heading back to Dubai after coaching there earlier this year Credit: Instagram @footballescapes Now, Rooney will get his boots back on for an October retreat to Dubai, having previously worked for them during an event in February. He will teach aspiring youngsters the ropes alongside a fellow Premier League icon in ex-Tottenham and England defender Michael Dawson. But training with Rooney doesn't come cheap. Football Escapes are advertising a seven-day stay for a family of four at the 5-star Jumeirah Beach Hotel for £8499 on their website – and that's BEFORE flights. A statement read: 'By popular demand, Wayne Rooney will be returning to Dubai, alongside Michael Dawson, for a week of Football Escapes magic this October Half Term, 20th - 24th October 2025. 'The kids will train daily, in their personalised kit, with our ambassadors and UEFA-qualified coaches, building their confidence and their skills with coaching from none other than Wayne Rooney. 'Including daily coaching from Wayne Rooney, a signed shirt, our incredible Parents' Match, a medals ceremony to round off the week, and of course a stay for you and your family at the world class Jumeirah Beach Hotel Resort in Dubai.' 6 Rooney will coach alongside Michael Dawson Credit: Getty 6 The former defender starred for Tottenham and England Credit: Action Images - Reuters
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The 1% Club's Lee Mack stunned as 60% question wipes out ZERO celebrities – but would you have also got through
LEE Mack was left completely stunned when no celebrities were eliminated from a tricky round in The 1% Club. ITV aired a special edition of the smash-hit quiz show to celebrate and raise money for Soccer Aid. 6 Lee Mack couldn't believe that every remaining player made it through a round Credit: ITV 6 ITV aired a special episode of the show to raise funds for Soccer Aid Credit: ITV 6 Would you have answered the football themed question correctly? Credit: ITV The 1% Club is the programme that is very different from other popular shiny floor quiz formats. 100 players are usually tested on their logic, reasoning skills and common sense. Round by round they are tasked with solving puzzles or riddles that a certain amount of the general public would get right. For each player that is eliminated, £1,000 is added to the jackpot prize until only the smartest players get to try their luck at the 1% Question with a chance to join the prestigious club. READ MORE ON THE 1% CLUB However, a recent episode saw the studio filled with celebrities with some of their nearest and dearest instead of members for the public. The likes of Other celeb names included However, things took an interesting turn on the show when Lee got to the 60% question. Most read in News TV He asked: "Which four-letter word fills all the gaps to create footballing phrases?" The words that were emblazoned on the screen which either preceded or were followed by gaps were 'Bicycle,' 'Off,' and 'Free'. The 1% Club wipes out seven players instantly on easy 90% question - but would you have known the answer? However, every single member of the studio audience knew the answer, leaving the host stunned. He exclaimed: "We didn't lose anybody!", to a huge round of applause from the audience. As the jackpot prize remained the same at £20,000, Mack added: "So everyone is through there!" The 1% Club's Most Difficult Questions The 1% Club sees 100 contestants try and make it to the 1% question and be in with a chance to win a share of the jackpot. Here are just some of the show's most difficult teasers. Players had to compare and contrast three images of butterflies then explain which of the butterflies were exactly the same on both sides. Players were shown groups of six symbols then asked which were in the same order whether you read them from left to right or right to left. Players were asked how many different combinations were there of displaying four digits on one hand. Peter had recently found his old diary that he'd written in secret code but he couldn't remember how to decipher what he wrote. Players were asked to crack the code and find out what the bold word was. WH89 I GR1W UP I WA92 21 B8 A 5L1RI72. Players were tasked with working out how many eyes they could see in an image, which was made up of letters, symbols and emojis. A 1% question was based on a grid of numbers going in ascending order from 1 to 49. Starting on 25, the middle square, SEEN took you to square 27. From there, NEW took you to 20. From there, which square would SEWN take you to? And finally, an easy one - What common food in bold has had its letters rearranged into alphabetical order? ABDER 6 The correct answer to the riddle was the word 'kick' 6 The 100 player audience was made up of star names and some of their nearest and dearest 6 No players were eliminated after the 60% question The 1% Club airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
