Hornsby Shire Council will tonight (21 December) join with councils across Sydney by not switching on the Christmas lights in Hornsby CBD and outside the Council Chambers in response to Ukraine Embassy's request to support its '60 minutes of Darkness' initiative, recognising the humanitarian crisis that is taking place in Ukraine.
The '60 minutes of Darkness' initiative seeks to raise awareness of how 10 million Ukrainians will spend Christmas this year without power or lights because of damage to infrastructure caused by shelling in the war.
It asks people to unite in a moment of reflection and to consider donating to UNITED24, the official presidential fundraising platform, which is raising money to purchase generators for Ukraine's social infrastructure.
"The people of Hornsby Shire stand with Ukraine. We hope that by joining this global campaign we can raise awareness of their situation and help to raise money for this important initiative to rebuild its damaged infrastructure," said Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock.
"Our thoughts are with all the Ukrainians in Australia worrying about their loved ones overseas this Christmas."
To donate visit https://u24.gov.ua/.
