Two sisters from Ukraine have said it is a "miracle" that they have been welcomed into a new home, after a family from Yorkshire stepped forward to help. YorkshireLive reports Kateryna and Daryna, who both lived in Kyiv, fled the war soon after Russia ordered the invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.
Kateryna, 28, had to walk out of Kyiv as Russian troops advanced, while 32-year-old Daryna and her four-year-old son Yuroslav were able to catch a bus out of their small town near the capital city. They have since been stranded in Lublin, a Polish city near the Ukrainian border, but a Yorkshire family has stepped forward to help them.
Kateryna and Daryna will soon board a train across Europe and travel to Ilkley to move in with their host family. "It was so hard (to leave)," said Kateryna. "I walked, it took a full day to leave and my sister left with her son by bus."
The sisters are desperate to return to Ukraine as soon as possible, but with the war still raging on it's simply not possible. Kateryna speaks English and described the UK as a "super amazing country" where she hopes they will be safe.
"The UK is the most interesting country in Europe," said Kateryna. "I don’t want to stay (forever), but I just want to see this huge country with this huge history."
The sisters have been matched with their host family by Leeds-based travel company GOAT Roadtrip. Chief executive Kevin Cabra Netherton has driven more than 1,000 miles from Leeds to work alongside charities and help match Ukrainian refugees with British hosts.
One of the most recent matches has seen Kateryna, Daryna and Yuroslav paired with the family from Ilkley. "It’s a little bit strange because it’s a new experience for me and my sister especially," said Kateryna. "When I saw photos of the family, it was like a miracle.
"We want to go back to Ukraine now so much, but I know I can take something beautiful from this situation. This is an amazing opportunity to meet people like this."
More than 150,000 people have signed up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme so far. Hosts can be paid up to £350 a month to open their home to refugees, but they must be able to name their potential visitors on an application form.
"We’re really happy to help," said Kevin. "We want to welcome you into our homes and make you feel safe and welcome."
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