A kind-hearted great-grandmother has provided a home for a mum and her three-year-old daughter after they fled the war in Ukraine.
Svitlana Oliinyk, 27, made the painful decision to leave her home country with her daughter Karolina Dolyniuk following Russia's invasion. They travelled to the UK for safety while Svitlana's husband Vitaly Dolyniuk, 31, a delivery driver, remained in their home city of Odesa.
For the last six months, Margaret Hickson, 76, has shared her home in West Rainton, County Durham, with the mother and daughter. The retired nurse has now extended the sponsor agreement until April next year.
Read more: Mum finds new home and job in the North East after escaping war-torn Ukraine with her two children
She said: "I just felt it was so unfair. They haven't done anything for this to happen. I thought maybe with me being a nurse perhaps I could help. I immediately joined up when the Government announced the scheme. Why wouldn't you want to help? It's something that's quite fulfilling."
Svitlana and Karolina arrived in Britain in April this year. They initially moved in with another sponsor however the arrangement didn't work out. It led to them having to seek temporary accommodation in West Rainton with the help of Durham County Council.
Margaret was on the list of people which the local authority had as rematch sponsors. As she was living near where Svitlana and Karolina were staying, a meeting was arranged. The trio hit it off instantly and arrangements were made for them to move in days later.
Margaret, who has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, said: "We were told to look out for a little one with lovely eyes. I recognised Karolina straightaway – she walked past with Svitlana while I was sat in the car. Not that I knew it was them at the time."
During the time she has been staying with Margaret, Svitlana has caught coronavirus and spent four days in the University Hospital of North Durham with a stomach complaint. Margaret looked after Karolina while Svitlana was receiving medical treatment.
Mum-of-two Margaret said: "I have a granddaughter and a great granddaughter in York and I would hope somebody would help them in the same situation.
"It has worked out really well. You have to be prepared to support as well as being there for them, and perhaps more so because Svitlana is on her own with a little one.
"The friends and neighbours in the village and the village church have been brilliant. The neighbours knit Karolina jumpers, it makes a huge difference.
"Everybody wants to help and make things that bit better for her really so she can go home again."
Svitlana, who is currently working in the kitchen at a local restaurant, does not want to go back to Ukraine just yet as it is "too dangerous". She said: "It is not good. I miss my husband and my family. My sister is in Kyiv and a bomb fell near her apartment."
She is hoping a sponsor can be found for her sister, not too far away from West Rainton, so they can see each other again.
Margaret said she signed up to be a sponsor when the Government's announced the Homes for Ukraine scheme. She is encouraging anyone who feels able to offer refuge to Ukrainians to come forward.
She added: "I do feel it is a worthwhile experience and I am pleased I have done it."
Durham County Council has to date helped almost 500 Ukrainians set up home in the area and supports both sponsors and guests by assigning staff to visit them and assist them with any queries.
The authority also processes government payments to both sponsors and guests under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Cllr Alan Shield, the council’s Cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: "It is lovely to hear how well Svitlana, Karolina and Margaret are getting on and it is very clear from Margaret’s words just how rewarding an experience she is finding it to have them stay.
"We are incredibly grateful to her and the hundreds of other people across County Durham who have offered a place of refuge to Ukrainians, especially given the difficulties we are all facing in this cost-of-living crisis.
"No-one knows how long the war in Ukraine will last but if anyone else feels able to open their home to people still seeking refuge, we would love to hear from them so we can assure them they would not be alone and talk them through the range of support we provide, financial and other."
Read more:
