Three volunteers recently discussed their 16 trips to Ukraine to deliver aid and transport refugees to the UK.
Simon Beck, Christine Holden, and Jeremy Russon from Trowbridge Homes for Ukraine have reflected on their visits to the nation one year after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr. Beck said, "I got tired of seeing people fleeing their homes on the news and not doing anything about it.
Ms. Holden continued, "We were there to ease their lives as much as we could.
In an effort to aid Ukrainian refugees who were attempting to enter the UK, Mr. Beck founded Trowbridge Homes for Ukraine.
He acquired a minibus, and to accommodate the refugee's luggage, he removed some of the back seats.
This allowed them to bring about 11 people, as well as occasionally their pets, back to the UK.
He said, "You just did what you had to do to improve their quality of life a little bit.".
A six-year-old girl and her mother were riding along in the back seat with them on one of their journeys.
We discovered Frozen on Spotify after hearing that she was a huge fan, according to Mr. Russon. "Her mother started talking after noticing the smile on her face. ".
Without regard to the languages we use or the circumstances from which we come, Ms. Holden continued, "This is what it's all about. We are all humans, and we have a shared humanity.
One family's decision to part with their 11-year-old dog has stayed with Mr. Russon.
Mr. Russon confessed, "I am shaking just talking about it.". "It's bringing back images of amazingly strong people.
"We believe that resilience is the capacity to rise from a heavy night out; this is resilience, to endure what they have endured. " .
"Their stories have not come to a close, they still have family in Ukraine, and things are still happening there," Ms. Holden continued.
"We should try to treat these people with kindness.
. "
