Bolton: Ukrainian refugee calls for urgent Dnipro support

Svetlana Taraban moved to England last September so that her son could be in a safe environment. Her mother and husband remain in Dnipro.

But Svetlana says that 'it's not about her situation', it's about 'helping people' wherever possible.

She says that seeing the horror of the war, which has left families without homes and children without parents, prompted her to do something to help.

After a Russian strike destroyed a residential home in Dnipro on Saturday, the death toll rose to 40, dozens were missing and 75 were injured.

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She added: "When the missile hit the residential building and killed these people, some of them were children.

“My friends live here, and many friends have lost their loved ones and their homes.

"These people have lost everything.

“Many of them have no clothes, no food and no money.

"Everything they have has been destroyed."

Svetlana says that she was told that someone moved from Donbas to Dnipro in 2014, and has now died as a result of the attack.

She says this is not the only case of people fleeing the war in Donbas, and then the war catching up with them in other parts of the country.

Svetlana added: "These are real people who are in temporarily accommodation such as sports halls, hostels, or living with acquaintances.

“All these people had families, jobs and lives, but now they have nothing.

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"It ruins lives, and for some people it ruins their lives without taking their lives away."

After Svetlana spoke to a staff member at the school her son attended in Ukraine, she learned that three people who work at the school also lived in the apartment block that was affected.

She said: "I know these places and I know these people and I really want the public to respond and help them.

"It's not just a picture or a story, it's real people's lives."

Since coming to the UK Svetlana has been supported by her hosts, who she said are 'very kind' and they are now her 'real English family'.

She said: "It's a very nice country here and people are very kind to all Ukrainians.

“We are immensely grateful to the whole of the UK and everyone in it for their support.

"Of course, I want to go home when it's over, but right now it's very dangerous.

"Where we are is a beautiful place that has become our second home and the people who have welcomed us are our second family."

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As Bolton is home to a large Ukrainian community, Svetlana is encouraging Bolton residents to donate as much as they can, however small, to help Ukrainians affected by the attack in Dnipro and to show solidarity to those already living here.

Svetlana asked that donations be in cash so that as many families as possible can receive food, medicine, and basic necessities.

Donations can be sent to the Ukrainian Social Club on Castle Street and given to Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, chairman of the Bolton branch of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should indicate that it is intended for Dnipro.

Svetlana added: "A small amount of money from everyone can help someone and even save a life.

"We have lost stability where 17 months ago our country celebrated 30 years of independence.

"We can never go back to that feeling of certainty with a 21st century war and killing of civilians; it’s impossible."

Yaroslaw added: "If our fathers' generation knew that we did nothing in these times, God forbid.

"It's the least we can do."

If people want to know more about specific cases or help, email Svetlana.taraban.a@gmail.com or scan the QR code below.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.