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Mar 2022
Ripon family's plea: 'Please help the people of Ukraine'
As the Russian bombardment of Ukraine continues, former Ripon Grammar School student Lewis Edwards and his partner Tanya Bogdanovska are safe in Slovakia, but constantly thinking about family and friends facing the horror of war.
Lewis, whose family live in Ripon, has been providing regular updates, along with the photographs seen here.
He told the Stray Ferret, this morning:
As rockets and mortar fire rains down on Kyiv, men, women and children are sheltering at the city's Metro stations
With the worsening situation, the urgency of Ukrain's plea for help increases by the minute and for Tanya it is a personal plea, because she comes from Zaporhisia, which has been under heavy attack for days.
The Shelter in Slovakia
While she and Lewis can only add their voices to the world-wide call for the military assistance that Ukrain needs, they and a growing group of friends are preparing to provide practical, on the ground support for fleeing refugees through a shelter in Slovakia.
This will provide food, rest, the opportunity to bathe and obtain essential items such as sanitary products for women and nappies. The shelter will also have private areas where the refugees can make calls to loved ones back in Ukraine.
Lewis, Tanya and friends who will help in setting up the shelter, have now crossed the border into Slovakia
The plans for creating the shelter are taking shape and in Ripon, a Go Fund Me page set up on Sunday by Lewis's family is steadily receiving donations from the local community.
Lewis's mother, Ali, said:
While people have been sheltering under ground in Metro stations, Russian rockets have destroyed residential blocks
The shelter will give respite for traumatised Ukrainian refugees before they make onward journeys.
Final destinations are currently unknown to the fleeing women, children and men over 60, who left their homeland with hastily-packed suitcases, back packs and carrier bags.
The majority had to bid farewell to loved ones, including husbands, partners, brothers and uncles aged between 18 and 60, who stayed behind to fight for their country.
This is happening city by city and street by street, as Ukrainian soldiers, along with civilians armed with Molotov cocktails and guns provided by allies, continue their desperate struggle against Russia's military might.
Women and children who are fleeing Ukraine, are facing an uncertain future
Lewis, said:
The collective, including teachers like Lewis and Tanya, who met at Point Camp (a children's summer camp in Ukraine) come from a number of European countries.
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