Priti Patel with Paul and Lucie Long and their two children Sophia and Charlie at the Café Bijou, Coggeshall.
Priti calls in to see Café Bijou heroes to hear about their Ukraine supply trips
The MP for Witham, Priti Patel has made a return visit to Café Bijou, in Market End, Coggeshall to hear about the hard work the Café’s owners, Lucie and Paul Long, have been doing to support the people of the Ukraine.
Priti formally opened the couple’s new Café in July last year but when she heard about their magnificent efforts to get food and medicines out to the Ukraine, she asked for a return visit. She called in on Wednesday 6th April, to hear all about it. Lucie and Paul were determined to do more than just feel sorry about the situation in Ukraine. They began by making Café Bijou a collection point for donations and were overwhelmed by the support they received from their customers and local people. Paul, who is ex-military, then became involved in the logistics of delivering the donations to the border of Ukraine, driving vehicles over there himself.
He has made three journeys so far, including taking a bus donated by Ipswich Borough Council and designed to be a vaccination and medical centre. However, they first had to raise the funds for the medical supplies it needed.
Commenting after hearing their story, Priti said: “I could not be more impressed with Lucie and Paul’s commitment to helping the people of the Ukraine. Their Café has become a hub for the local community to make donations of money and supplies. Paul himself has spent many days making the long, arduous drive to the Ukrainian border. They really are an inspiration and I’m sure their efforts will help to save lives.”
Lucie and Paul said: “It was good to see Priti again and to tell her our story. Her encouragement and support are greatly appreciated.”