Ukrainian couple in Harrogate speak of fears for family under Russian fire

A Ukrainian couple have spoken about their fears for close family members who are encircled by Russian forces in Ukraine and unable to flee.

Taras and Viktoriia Jakubiak live in Harrogate with their two children Isabella, 6, and Eve, 12, who goes to St Robert’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher Catholic High School.

Viktoriia’s mum and sister are currently in Chernhiv, a city less than 100 miles north of Kyiv. It has faced heavy shelling and airstrikes from Russian forces since the invasion began.

The couple last spoke to them this morning.

Taras said:

“We’re really worried, the Russians are shelling indiscriminately”.

Acute danger each day

Their family members in Chernhiv face acute danger each day. Russian tanks shot at a church when Viktoriia’s mum was inside and they are spending nights in a pitch black basement to not draw attention.

Taras added:

“The Russians are trying to submit the local population. They want to subjugate the nation and eliminate democracy”.

Viktoriia’s mum works in the local city hospital. However she is continuing to go to work, despite the threat from Russian forces who have bombed hospitals in Mariupol and Zhytomyr.

Taras said:

“Even the hospitals aren’t aren’t safe these days.

“It is indiscriminate and very dangerous.”

Below is a video that was recently taken in Chernihiv where Viktoriia and Taras’ family live.

Chernihiv. https://t.co/zoLaujZolr pic.twitter.com/W4hoaSrefd

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) March 6, 2022

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The family moved to Harrogate two years ago from West Yorkshire. Taras said he was touched to see the Ukrainian flag flying at the war memorial in Harrogate.

He was born in the UK and also has cousins in Kyiv. Taras said the response in Harrogate, which has involved fundraisers and donations, has made him proud to be both British and Ukrainian.

“Family members in Ukraine are aware of the support and encouragement. They don’t feel alone”.

Things will get better

Heartbreakingly, the family got Viktoriia’s mum and sister UK visas to escape the war zone and join them in Harrogate. However, they did not have enough time to leave Chernhiv before the Russian advance and were trapped.

“There was no way out. They were encircled”.

Taras said it has been difficult to explain the situation to his children, who ask how their relatives are doing in Ukraine.

“It’s difficult to reassure them.”

“We tell them they are going through a dark time but things will get better.”

Ex-soldier from Harrogate flying out today to help Ukrainian refugees

A former soldier from Harrogate will fly to Slovakia today to help Ukrainian refugees 

Mike Heelan, who served for 24 years in the British Army whilst based in Harrogate, will be supporting Ripon man Lewis Edwards and his team to run a shelter for people fleeing the war-torn country.

Mr Heelan was moved after reading the Stray Ferret’s stories about Mr Edwards, 33, and his 30-year-old Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska. They were both teachers at a school in Kyiv but fled the Ukraine capital on February 25 to set up a shelter in Slovakia.

Since then, the couple have helped refugees with housing, transport, food, medical supplies and other essentials. They have even sourced 10 armoured ambulances to protect health workers from gunfire.

Mr Heelan and Mr Edwards, who did not previously know each other, managed to connect via WhatsApp and then hastily arrange the trip at short notice.

Mr Heelan said he will go there for two weeks but may stay longer.

“I really felt I should be doing something. I’ll do whatever is needed.

“I want to help people who are suffering because of the war.”

Lewis Edwards and his partner Tanya fled Ukraine. Picture: Tanya Bogdanovoska

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Being human

Up to 180,000 refugees have crossed the border into Slovakia since Russia began its invasion two weeks ago.

The UN Refugee Agency has warned the total number of refugees from Ukraine may reach four million in the coming days.

Wives have been separated from husbands who are staying in the country to fight. Children have left everything they have ever known behind.

Mr Heelan said:

“They are scared and confused.

“I have got the time. It’s about being human.”

Mike Heelan

Mr Heelan said he’s grown frustrated with the UK government’s attempts to send aid to Ukraine, which he said has been stymied by red tape and bureaucracy.

But he pointed to Lewis Edwards as an inspirational example to follow.

“At a time when we need a robust, go-getting government we have a bunch of feeble-heads.

“Lewis is a young lad, a teacher, who’s managed to get armoured ambulances. He’s done it out of nothing. It’s quite amazing.”

Eyes open

At the moment, the border with Slovakia is not a part of Ukraine targeted by the Russian army.

Mr Heelan, 64, said he is not interested in fighting but is not afraid to face danger.

The stoic family man said his wife and two children support his journey.

He said he’ll be feeling some trepidation during the flight to Slovakia tomorrow, but added:

“That’s good for you. I’ll keep my eyes open.”

To donate to the Lewis Edwards Ukrainian shelter fundraiser, visit this gofundme page. 

LIVE: 24-hour vigil continues as Harrogate district responds to Ukraine crisis

The Harrogate district is continuing its response to the war in Ukraine with a 24 hour vigil being held this morning.

If you know of an initiative to provide help or support run by a person, charity, church, community group or business, let us know by calling the newsroom on 01423276197 or by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.30pm – Donation collectors say “no more” after filling unit 

Joanna Papros, Kinga Goldsmith and Adam Goldsmith are behind the donation collection park at Claro Court Business Centre. The group have said they have been overwhelmed with donations in the past few days.

The unit is now full, with items ready to be packed up tomorrow to send to Ukraine on Thursday.

Local people have donated clothes, bedding, sanitary products and long-life food to try and help those forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.

In a Facebook post they said:

“We cannot physically take any more donations. Our storage unit is full. We are really sorry to anyone planning to still come down but unfortunately (in a good way) we will have to turn you away.

“The donations we have received so far is nothing short of amazing. we cannot thank you all enough.”

12pm – Harrogate charity shop accepts monetary donations for aid in Ukraine 

The British Red Cross charity shop on Beulah Street in Harrogate has set up a fund for customers to donate to which is sent directly to its aid workers on the ground in Ukraine.

Charity shop manager, Caroline Knowles, told the Stray Ferret the fund was only set up last week and has already had several hundreds of pounds donated to it.

Ms Knowles said:

“There are workers from the Red Cross on the ground in Ukraine now helping people who need it. Each country has it’s own society which then relays what it needs to other Red Cross societies.

“We’ve had lots of people come in and simply donate and others add more to their bill after buying in the shop, it’s amazing to see how many people want to help.”

She added people can simply come into the shop to donate to the fund with no obligation to buy items.

11.30am – Vigil starts at Harrogate War Memorial

A 24 hour vigil for people in Ukraine has started outside Harrogate’s war memorial.

Around 10 people were outside the memorial, which is expected to last until 10am tomorrow morning.

Lindis Percy, organiser of the vigil, told the Stray Ferret:

“We just felt helpless and I just thought we need to do something. It’s horrific what is happening but we can stand here in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.” – thoughts of making the vigils weekly.”

Meanwhile, Kirsty Hallett, one of those who attended the vigil, said:

“I just feel what is happening against people in Ukraine is completely devastating, people are dying and their human rights are being stripped away.

“There’s so many heartbreaking stories coming out from the country and I wanted to show solidarity with these people. There’s nothing practical we can do other than support charities so I thought it was better to come out and stand here for a bit rather thank sitting at home thinking about what is happening.”

9.50am – Former Ripon student flees Ukraine

Lewis Edwards (pictured left) who has fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Lewis Edwards (pictured left) who has fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

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, spoke the Stray Ferret this morning about his experience.

Read more on his story here.

8.40am – Profits from flower delivery to be sent to Ukraine

A Knaresborough florist is to send profits from its flower delivery to help those in Ukraine.

4 Seasons Florists on Boroughbridge Road will donate its profits to Choose Love Ukraine, which is raising money to support projects for those fleeing the war.

8.30am – 24 hour vigil to be held in Harrogate

A 24-hour vigil will begin at the war memorial in Harrogate this morning to show support with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The vigil, which has been organised by Christopher and Lindis Percy, will start at 10am and finish at 10am the following day.

Anyone is welcome to stay for as long as they want. Warm clothing is advised.

Ms Percy, who has been a well-known peace campaigner in the district for many years, said:

“The news is very dire and we thought we must do something. It is a very dangerous situation in Ukraine. We hope people will join us.”

Harrogate care worker’s anguish for Ukrainian family close to bombing

Marina Godwin has spoke of heartbreak and anguish for her family in Ukraine.

Mrs Godwin, who has lived in England for eight years, works as a care team leader at Vida Grange care home in Pannal.

The 38-year-old said she is “frightened” for her parents, sister, brother-in-law and extended family in the country.

Most of her family live near the town of Myrhorod in the Poltava region in central Ukraine. Myrhorod is home to a military base and has been heavily bombed.

Mrs Godwin said her family are safe but their proximity to the areas being bombed is a huge concern. She said:

“I’m incredibly terrified for my family. They just don’t know what to do. my sister said they can’t eat, of course when you’re worried and anxious of course you can’t eat.

“They have tried to get to my grandma nearby but can’t, there are just no forms of transport.”

Marina Godwin

Her sister lives further north in Kharkiv which borders with Russia. Mrs Godwin said her and her husband are sleeping on the floor in fear of missiles getting through the windows of their home.

Mrs Godwin said a shortage of fuel, cash and transport means many people are struggling to escape to safety. She’s heard from friends that there are hundreds of people attempting to find refuge in Western Ukraine.

Mrs Godwin and her husband Brian used to live in Harrogate and now live in North Leeds.

The 38-year-old has called on western leaders to act,. She appealed for them to help her home country:

“It’s difficult to imagine this can happen in the 21st century in the middle of Europe.

“I know the UK, US and many European countries have put sanctions in place. I think it would be good to supply Ukraine with better weapons, maybe European countries could help to fight but at the same time i understand it’s a dangerous situation globally and could trigger a global war.”

Mrs Godwin is also studying to be a mental health nurse at Leeds Beckett University, she said she feels “helpless” that all she can offer is support over the phone.

She hasn’t been home since July 2019 due to the pandemic, but is hopeful to be able to visit her family this year.

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The invasion has worsened overnight with Russian forces now occupying Chernobyl and continuing to perform missile strikes on towns and cities across Ukraine.

When watching President Putin’s interviews on TV, Mrs Godwin said:

“Why would someone want to find a ridiculous excuse to invade a neighbour country? I know there are reasons but it doesn’t justify a war.

“There should not be any single person killed, the war should not be happening, In my opinion there is always room for negotiation.”

She has also called on Western leaders to aid those trying to escape to safety in nearby countries by making immigration rules simpler.

Despite her desperate concern for her family, Mrs Godwin is also hopeful for the future:

“Life will go on, it will definitely go on.”

Ripon man with family in Ukraine speaks of ‘deeply troubling’ times

Peter Dutka has spoken of his devastation and concern for family in Ukraine after waking up this morning to the news that Russia had invaded.

Mr Dutka lives in Ripon and was brought up in England by his father, who was born in Ukraine. He still has family living in western Ukraine near the Polish border.

Mr Dutka hasn’t spoken to his Ukrainian family yet today but said he will call them as soon as he can. He described the invasion as “deeply, deeply troubling” and distressing, adding:

“The news is devastating on a family front but it will have ramifications across the world too. You wouldn’t think in times like these a land war would happen, but it has. The consequences of this could be huge. It’s just devastating.”

Mr Dutka, who was due to visit his family this year, said the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation needed to be “more firm” and take a stand against President Putin.

“I am really proud of my Ukrainian heritage so this is very frightening. I have aunties, uncles and cousins over there, of course it’s a huge worry for us.

“I’m welling up just thinking about it.”

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In the last 24 hours, Russia has launched missile strikes on major cities in Ukraine, forcing people to flee their homes.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss described the attack as an “illegal, unprovoked invasion” and warned the Russian ambassador that the UK would be “imposing severe sanctions”.

An advisor to the Ukrainian president has said 40 people died in the first few hours of Russian strikes.