Ukraine Archives - Page 2 of 9

Inquests open into fatal A61 crash at South Stainley

Inquests into the deaths of two of the three people killed in a crash on the A61 at South Stainley opened today.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, and her son Ihor Bartienieva, 6, died after a three-vehicle collision that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road on September 3.

Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, was also killed as a result of the collision.

All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon.

Jon Heath, senior coroner for North Yorkshire, opened the inquests into Daria and Ihor at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

Mr Heath said both were killed as a result of a road traffic collision. The provisional cause of death was given as “multiple injuries” due to blunt force trauma.

The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.

Holy Trinity School paid tribute to former pupil Ihor after the collision.

A fundraiser set up for 15-year-old Liza Bartienieva, who was orphaned following the incident, raised £48,000.

Ripon school ‘heartbroken’ over death of six-year-old pupil

A Ripon school has said it is “heartbroken” over the death of six-year-old pupil Ihor Bartienieva in a three-vehicle crash last weekend.

Ihor and his mother Daria Bartienieva, 35, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, were killed in a collision that involved a double decker bus.

All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on the A61 between South Stainley and Ripley at about 2.20pm on Sunday.

The Federation of Holy Trinity Schools has issued a statement which said staff and pupils “were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death” of infant school pupil Ihor on their return to school this week. It added:

“Ihor joined our year 1 class after arriving from Ukraine with his mum and sister and he soon became a popular member of the Trinity community.

“Ihor had boundless energy and enthusiasm; pupils were drawn to his chatty, charismatic character.”

Tracey Calland-Booke, Ihor’s year 1 class teacher, said:

“Ihor will be remembered by his classmates as a funny, chatty little boy who was loved by us all. We were all in awe of this little spark of joy who really brought something special to our class.”

Executive headteacher Sue Sanderson said:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ihor’s family and friends. This devastating event has affected everyone within our community, and we are all now attempting to come to terms with our loss together.

“Staff and pupils have visited the poignant reflection space created by Holy Trinity Church to light a candle, say a prayer and share our happy memories of such a special little boy and his family. We will continue to seek support and comfort in our church and school community.”

£20,000 raised for surviving Liza

A fundraising appeal has now raised more than £20,000 for Daria’s sole remaining daughter, Liza, who was not involved in the collision.

Business have been rallying round to support the cause, with the city’s Black Swan pub on Westgate holding a fundraising event on Saturday.

The event, which starts at 2.30pm, will include live music by Freddie Clearly and a raffle. Further details are here.

Anonymous £10k boost to Knaresborough man’s Ukraine fire engine appeal

A fundraising campaign by a Knaresborough man to buy a fire engine to send to Ukraine has received a £10,000 donation.

Bob Frendt was hoping to raise £20,000 to buy the appliance and send it to Volodymyr, which had its fire engines commandeered by the army in the fight against Russia.

However, he said he was worrying the total was unachievable, after getting stuck at £7,000 for several weeks.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I was getting a bit depressed and very stressed over it. I was thinking, ‘I’ve bitten off more than I can chew’, making promises I couldn’t keep and letting people down.

“Then I got this call out of the blue from a man who came to a fundraising folk night in Wetherby and heard me say a few words about what I was doing.

“He said he wanted to make a donation and asked for my bank details. He didn’t say how much – but when I saw it come through, I couldn’t believe it.

“I’m still buzzing now. I can’t believe it has happened. It just shows you what wonderful people there are around.”

The donor has asked to remain anonymous, but said the money was taken from a legacy left by his mother after she died earlier this year.

The man told Mr Frendt she was always a generous supporter of good causes, and had left him “more than he could ever spend” in her will.

In recognition of their generosity, Mr Frendt said he will name the fire engine after the man’s mother.

Now, he is working with a former fire officer to source an appliance that he can take across Europe and hand over to the fire service in Volodymyr.

He added:

“I just need to raise the last £3,000 now.

“The paperwork shouldn’t take too long to get sorted. Hopefully, we can get it to Volodymyr before the end of October, when the weather closes in.

“If we can’t do that, we’re looking at not doing it until the end of March next year. I don’t want to leave it that long – they’ve got to have that fire engine.”

To help him take his funds from £17,000 to the total, Knot Another Choir will be performing a fundraising concert at Trinity Church in Knaresborough on October 6.

Tickets are £10 and available to buy online in advance.

Donations can also be made via Mr Frendt’s Just Giving page.

Ukrainian twin sisters in Harrogate excel in A levels

Twin sisters at Harrogate Ladies’ College are celebrating top A level grades today – from their home in Ukraine.

Diana and Sofiia Shypovych, from Cherkasy in Central Ukraine, achieved A*A*A* and A*A*A respectively.

The sisters arrived at Harrogate Ladies’ College to study as boarding pupils in September 2021. But just a few months later, Russia invaded Ukraine and the girls found themselves unable to return home to their parents.

Sofiia said she was delighted with her results:

“I am so happy about my results – and I am so grateful to my school for supporting me through the last two years. It was difficult being away from my family, but school actively promotes inclusion, diversity and being yourself. That really helped me.”

Diana added:

“University will be our next exciting chapter. Despite everything that has been happening in Ukraine, school has given me and my sister the confidence to mature into independent adults through the opportunities, challenges and freedoms it has offered. Living at school showed us the importance of contributing to the community and respecting our shared responsibilities.”

Following the invasion of their country, both sisters ran campaigns in Harrogate to fundraise for Ukrainians and helped Ukrainian families on the Homes for Ukraine scheme to settle into the community. They were also voted by their fellow pupils and teachers to be prefects at the school during their time in the sixth form.

Sylvia Brett, principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, paid tribute to the sisters’ hard-working ethos and commitment to school life against the backdrop of war in their home country. She said:

“We’re incredibly proud of all of our pupils, but Sofiia and Diana deserve special recognition for the circumstances under which they’ve been studying for the last two years. Being here at the time of the outbreak of the war and knowing their family and friends were facing real dangers, was extraordinarily hard for the girls but they never lost focus on their studies or their optimism for the future.

“They are truly remarkable young women who always looked out for others in school and organised events such as the Ukraine Cultural Day to help us all understand and support their country.”

The sisters chose to return to Ukraine after finishing their exams this summer to await their results with their family and friends, despite ongoing security concerns. Cherkasy lies 200km south-east of Kyiv and the region is still frequently subjected to missile attack by Russia.

Speaking from Ukraine, the girls’ mother, Iana Shypovych, said she was thrilled by their results:

“When our then 16-year old daughters left Ukraine to study in Harrogate we were a little worried about how they would adapt to living so far away from home, but our concerns never came true. When the war broke out we were truly grateful that they were safe and being cared for. They were so warmly welcomed and supported by the school staff and the people of Harrogate.”

Harrogate Ladies’ College achieved 41% A*-A grades across the board – a 17% increase on the comparable figures from 2019.

North Yorkshire Council awarded £830,000 to support Ukrainian refugee housing

North Yorkshire Council has been awarded £830,715 by the government to support Ukrainian refugees living in the county move into their own homes.

Ukrainian families fleeing war have found places to live through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme with UK sponsors agreeing to house refugees for a minimum of six months.

However, there have been concerns that if it doesn’t work out between refugees and host families some may fall into homelessness, so the government is offering all local authorities money through its Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG).

The council’s Conservative executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, welcomed the grant in a statement to councillors ahead of a meeting next week.

Cllr Myers said:

“We welcome the additional funding which recognises the commitment of sponsors and the work we have already been doing during difficult economic times and will provide additional support and reassurance to Ukrainian families as they rebuild their lives and seek to overcome the trauma of war.”

According to NYC, there have been 1,336 arrivals to North Yorkshire since the start of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

This includes 49 refugees who arrived between April and the end June this year.

The number of people still living with a sponsor is 616 and there has been 720 who initially arrived in North Yorkshire but have moved on from their sponsors’ accommodation.

A total of 371 of these have moved onto private rented accommodation and 172 have moved back to Ukraine.

The council said 47 have moved on to another sponsor family outside of North Yorkshire.

Over the winter, the council increased the ‘thank you’ payments for sponsors from £350 to £500 a month and this will be extended until October 2023 when it will again be reviewed.

To help new arrivals settle in, the council also has two dedicated employment advisors who work with Ukrainian residents to help them find training and apply for jobs.

Nationally, more than 117,000 Ukrainians have moved to the UK through the resettlement scheme.

Knaresborough man launches crowdfunder to send fire engine to Ukraine

A retired lorry driver who has taken seven truckloads of aid to Ukraine from Knaresborough has set himself a new challenge.

Bob Frendt, who is in his 70s, made his final trip to eastern Europe earlier this month and has said he will not complete another aid journey.

However, he is hoping to help in another way.

While visiting Volodymyr in western Ukraine over the last year, he discovered the town’s fire engines had been commandeered by the army.

During his last visit, he was told about the impact of this. He said:

“We heard there had been people killed in a fire four weeks earlier because they don’t have a fire engine.

“I said, ‘I promise I will buy you a fire engine. I don’t know how, I don’t know where I’m going to get the money from, but I will do it by the end of the year.'”

Bob is known for keeping his promises.

Over the last 15 months, he has been transporting medical equipment for the hospital, as well as IT and other supplies the school requested.

Before Christmas, he transported hundreds of gifts to distribute to local children, and took Easter eggs to the hospital’s children’s ward during his visit in April.

As well as taking donations from people around Knaresborough and beyond, he contacted numerous businesses across the area to ask for contributions of unwanted medical equipment and more.

He was given the lorry by a supporter, but it cost him £2,500 in fuel, insurance and ferries every time he travelled to Ukraine and back, and he now plans to sell the lorry to clear the overdrafts he and wife Maureen had used to fund the last trip.

Bob is determined to raise enough money to buy and transport at least one fire engine to Volodymyr, to prevent more lives being lost and homes and businesses being destroyed if a fire breaks out.

He is being supported by Chain Lane Community Hub, which has been working with many Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia invaded last February.

Knaresborough is now home to around 350 Ukrainians, many of whom have been helped to learn English, find work and settle into the community through the Chain Lane hub.

Bob has also been instrumental in moves to twin Knaresborough with Volodymyr, with both mayors keen to sign up to a twinning agreement.

A Crowdfunding page has been set up to help Bob reach the £20,000 he needs for the cause. On it, the team from the hub wrote:

“Chain Lane Community Hub want to support Bob in his continued support for this town by helping Bob to fundraise for further Humanitarian Aid to Volodymyr, with one of the intentions to purchase and transport a fire engine specifically for this town.

“We can feel so helpless watching the news from Ukraine but this is a way we can really make a difference to these brave people in their time of need.”

To donate to the cause, visit the Crowdfunding page.

Over 1,000 Ukrainians make North Yorkshire home since start of war

Some 1,267 Ukrainians have made North Yorkshire their home since the start of the Russian invasion last year, according to figures.

Ukrainian families fleeing war have found places to live through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme with UK sponsors agreeing to house refugees for a minimum of six months.

North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance, revealed how many Ukrainians have been supported through the scheme in an update to councillors this week.

Cllr Chance said that at the end of March 2023, the number of Ukrainians residing in North Yorkshire was 733.

In addition, 554 people who initially arrived in North Yorkshire have either moved on to live in independent accommodation, relocated to another council area or have returned to Ukraine, making up 1,287 arrivals since the scheme began in March 2022.

Over the winter, the council increased the ‘thank you’ payments for sponsors from £350 to £500 a month and this will be extended until October 2023 when it will again be reviewed.

To help new arrivals settle in, the council also has two dedicated employment advisors who work with Ukrainian residents to help them find training and apply for jobs.

Nationally, over 117,000 Ukrainians have moved to the UK through the resettlement scheme.

New housing in Harrogate

In March, it was confirmed that the council will spend £2m buying 19 homes for Ukrainians in the Harrogate district.

A report said:

“Harrogate has a long and proud history of welcoming those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries. In the past, this has included Belgium victims of the First World War and Jewish people escaping the Nazis.”

The money will come from the Local Authority Housing Fund, which is a £500m grant fund launched by the government so English councils can provide housing for those unable to find accommodation.

In recent months, there have been increasing reports of Ukrainians families struggling to find their own accommodation after leaving the sponsorship programme.

Harrogate Eurovision party welcomes Ukrainians and raises aid funds

A Eurovision party to celebrate links between the Harrogate district and Ukraine raised more than £700 towards a final aid trip.

Union flags and Ukrainian colours were out in full force at the Majestic Hotel event, organised by Chain Lane Community Hub and Harrogate District of Sanctuary.

A raffle of prizes donated by local businesses proved popular with the 170 attendees, with proceeds going to guest of honour Bob Frendt.

He has take seven lorry-loads of medical aid and other supplies to Volodymyr in western Ukraine since the Russian invasion last February. His eighth and final trip will begin next week.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Frendt said:

“I can’t believe so many people were there supporting me and what I’m doing. It was overwhelming.

Maureen and I needed that night out, and Sue Vasey and the girls at Chain Lane Hub did a fabulous job organising it.

“They also raised £704 for my trip with the raffle and I can’t thank them enough.”

Bob and Maureen at the Eurovision party

As well as raising money, the event was a celebration of unity between Ukrainians who have arrived in the Harrogate district over the last year, and their many supporters in the area.

Attendees waved flags for both nations and danced together throughout the 26 performances.

The biggest cheers were reserved for performances by Ukraine’s Tvorchi and the UK’s Mae Muller, who came sixth and 25th respectively.

After building links between his home town of Knaresborough and Volodymyr, Bob successfully called for the two towns to formalise their links. Plans to officially twin have been approved by both and a twinning agreement is now being drawn up.

Bob and wife Maureen will set off for Volodymyr next Wednesday. The final trip will see them deliver laptops and other IT equipment to the school in Volodymyr, as well as further medical supplies for the hospital.

He is also hoping to take sweets to hand out when he arrives on June 1, when Ukraine marks Children’s Day. Anyone who would like to donate can call him on 07836 514952.

Eurovision party to mark links between Ukraine and Harrogate district

Links between the UK and Ukraine will be celebrated at Eurovision in Liverpool this week – and the Harrogate district is ensuring it is part of the party.

Just as the UK hosts the event on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine, a celebration will be happening in Harrogate to bring together locals with Ukrainians who have made the area home over the last 14 months.

A total of 170 attendees will be watching the contest together at the Majestic Hotel, and while they may be cheering for their home countries, organisers expect it to be a friendly rivalry.

Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub, which has organised the party along with Harrogate District City of Sanctuary, told the Stray Ferret:

“Nobody will mind if Ukraine win – it’s not too competitive. We’ll just be happy if the UK doesn’t get ‘nul points’!”

The Knaresborough community centre has been supporting Ukrainians who have arrived in the area since Russia’s invasion of their home country last February.

It has worked alongside other local groups and supporters to help them make contact with others in the same position and settle into their new homes. Now, Sue said more is being done to ensure they become part of the community in the Harrogate district.

Aid trips

Around 350 Ukrainians have arrived in the area in the last year, and about 190 of those have been supported through Chain Lane Community Hub. Sue said the others already spoke good English or had family in the area so did not need as much help to settle.

Each week, working with partners including North Yorkshire Council, the hub hosts classes to help people with English, employability skills and more.

It has also formed a link with Bob Frendt, the retired lorry driver in Knaresborough who has made seven aid trips to western Ukraine.

The Eurovision event on Saturday night – which is sold out – will raise money to help fund his next trip to Volodymyr, which is set to be twinned with Knaresborough. it will include an auction of prizes donated by local businesses, from Bettys & Taylors and Morrisons to Mother Shipton’s Cave.

Bob and his wife Maureen will be guests of honour at the Majestic, which has allowed use of the room free of charge.

Asked whether he was a loyal Eurovision fan, Bob said:

“Not since Cliff Richard won! But for one night we’ll make an exception. I’ve been asked to say a few words too. It should be a good night.”

Meanwhile, Bob is continuing to prepare for his eighth and final aid trip to Ukraine, setting off on May 24.

Each trip across Europe costs at least £2,500 in insurance, fuel and ferry crossings, and takes around six days.

He has been collecting donations of sports kit, IT equipment and decorating supplies to help the school rebuild after much of its stocks were commandeered by the army.

Bob is still hoping to source at least one old fire engine to take to Volodymyr to replace those taken to be used in the war effort. but for now is concentrating on what he can fit into his lorry, including medical supplies for the hospital..

He is hoping to add more equipment for the school, an under-counter fridge, sleeping bags, wellies, mosquito nets, tinned food and more before he sets off in two weeks’ time. Anyone who can help can call Bob on 07836 514952.

To get the latest updates on Bob’s efforts before and during his trip, and find out how you can support him, join the Facebook group Knaresborough Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine.

‘Just one more trip’ for Knaresborough’s Ukraine aid hero

A Knaresborough man who has just returned from his seventh aid trip to Ukraine has said the next visit will be his last.

Retired lorry driver Bob Frendt has been taking a lorry loaded with medical equipment and other supplies to the west of the country since Russia’s invasion last February.

His latest trip saw him deliver a letter from Knaresborough Town Council to the mayor of Volodymyr proposing a twinning agreement, after Mr Frendt’s trips established a connection between the towns.

He also took with him mobility scooters, walking frames, crutches and other vital equipment for the hospital – as well as 200 Easter eggs. They had been collected by Knaresborough women Stacey Worrall and Joanne Notman with support from family and friends, to ensure young hospital patients will not go without a chocolate treat.

On arrival at the hospital in Volodymyr, Mr Frendt was asked to deliver the eggs to the children himself. He said:

“They were overwhelmed. Because they weren’t expecting it, the kids couldn’t believe it. I bet they haven’t had chocolate since the war started – they were just over the moon, they were blown away by it.

“There was one little girl who was about three. She was really ill. I gave her the Easter egg and you would have thought I was giving her life itself.”

Mr Frendt had planned to make this his last aid trip to Ukraine, saying he was “shattered” after more than a week of travelling and deliveries.

The lorry’s MOT in February cost £4,000 in repairs. Mr Frendt was only able to get it back on the road by using his overdraft, and his wife Maureen’s. He planned to sell the truck after his next trip in order to clear their debt.

School appeal

However, during the meeting at the mayor’s office, something happened to change his mind. He said:

“I got introduced to the principal of the school which had been shut for a year because at the start, all the men teachers had to go into the army and all the women packed up their kids and legged it.

“They heard what I had done for the hospital and wanted me to do the same for the school.

“When it was shut down, the military took all the technology, so they’re absolutely beside themselves and desperate for laptops, computers, monitors, routers – anything to do with IT. They want a 3D printer and everything to go with that, and they want language course stuff to teach English.

“The school was damaged by artillery. They were given funding by the government to rebuild the school, but no funds for equipment or refurbishment. They want about 500 litres of paint and varnish for the floors.”

Unable to say no, Mr Frendt has agreed to do what he can to get what the school needs and plans to set off for his final trip on May 25.

Bob Frendt, in blue, with teachers from the school in Volodymyr

The school also asked for 10 footballs and 10 basketballs for sports lessons. Since returning less than a week ago, Mr Frendt has already sourced 40 of each, but is still seeking sports kits so the teams can play in suitable clothing.

He also still needs as much IT equipment as he can get, and paint and other supplies to make the school a better environment for learning.

And, as he left the mayor’s office, Mr Frendt was given an unusual request. He said:

“The parting shot was, ‘if you’ve got any fire engines lying about, we’ll take them – the army have nicked ours’.

“The military had commandeered the town fire engine, leaving them unable to fight any fires, so they have to let any that happen just burn out, leaving residents and businesses homeless.”

Mr Frendt said he is hoping to arrange an appointment with Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe to see whether an unneeded fire appliance could be given to Volodymyr.

If so, he said he will drive it there himself and fly home, as well as completing his final aid trip in May.

Anyone who can help Mr Frendt with equipment for the school, or funding to cover the £2,500 costs of each trip to Ukraine, can call him on 07836 514952.

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£20,000 raised for surviving Liza

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New housing in Harrogate

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Aid trips

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