Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Phoebe Jobling & Fiona Jackson

Couple paint their home like Ukraine flag to show support for country in Russia-Ukraine war

A couple have painted their home in the same colours as the Ukrainian flag to show their support for the country.

Rend Platings's husband Michael spent the weekend painting the front of their cream-coloured house amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Their £400,000 semi-detached home in Cambridge now stands tall with a striking blue and yellow exterior.

The pair say they have done this 'small' gesture to support their friends living in Ukraine.

READ MORE:

We've got friends in Ukraine, they're really lovely people, very brave people, and it's a very small thing we've done," said software engineer Michael.

"We just wanted to express out support for them and let them know we're not forgetting about them, and they've expressed their appreciation."

Rend Platings outside her house in Cambridge (James Linsell-Clark / SWNS)

Mum-of-one Rend from Iraq understands first-hand the horrors of living through war.

"My brothers were conscripts in the Iran-Iraq war, that was not their choice and there was a long time we were separated and I didn't know if they were alive or dead, it was very worrying," Rend said.

"Most problems seem very trivial at the moment, most things are not really that bad when you sit and analyse them.

"But war is one of those things, from my experience, that the more you sit and analyse it, the more horrendous it is.

"That experience has made my heart bleed for the people in Ukraine right now who are facing this assault in their home."

Charity founder Rend pursued fertility treatment in Kyiv after the pandemic made it difficult for her to access IVF treatment in the UK.

Their strong connection to the country motivated them to re-paint the front of their £400,000 home.

Rend spent all day painting with a neighbour's help, spreading the contents of two five litre pots of paint they bought for £76 across the face of their house.

"It's very very sad, I don't want to even imagine people what people are going through over there," said Rend, who has an eight-year-old daughter.

"Part of me feels guilty that I'm not able to help more.

"They are just so brave, so incredible, and have the strength of character and stubbornness - in a good way - has been really heart warming and it's very humbling.

"Whenever I think about moaning about the rain, this puts everything in perspective, nothing I can experience in England right now can compare with their experience."

Michael spent the weekend painting their home (James Linsell-Clark / SWNS)

While most neighbours have been supportive of the splash of colour in the area, the couple have received mixed responses.

"Most people get it, they get why the house is suddenly blue and yellow, but some people, particularly older people, say 'that's nice and bright," she said.

"We've had people beep their horns and lots of people stop and take pictures -we've had really warm responses.

"You can't necessarily paint your house blue and yellow, it's not practical, but just having a Ukrainian flag on your window and showing some support that way can make a big difference.

"It shows a degree of public concern and support, how it's not just Ukrainians but the whole nation wants to help Ukraine as much as we can.

"I know I'm not alone and there are lots of people who don't know what to do, and this is a simple thing they can do to show they stand with Ukraine."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.