A couple from Oakhill are appealing for help in finding a sponsor in or near Wells for a Ukrainian woman and two of her children.

Richard and Tracy Hole are currently hosting three Ukrainians - Yana, Karyna and Alina. And now they are appealing for a family to host Yana and Karyna's mother Marina, as well as their two younger siblings – Yaraslov, 12 and Annehelin, five. 

Richard said: "We hope that my description of our experience of sponsoring and hosting will encourage another family to also 'take the plunge'. The request to sponsor Marina is particularly important as her other two children (Yana and Karyna) are already in the UK living with us in Oakhill, and so if Marina can come to the area, the family can be reunited and see each other regularly.

 "We have been sponsors and host to Alina, Yana and Karyna for almost three months now. The experience has been one of the most rewarding and uplifting things we have ever done. And I know that other sponsors feel the same way. 

 "When we first met at Bristol Airport we looked at each other with wide eyed amazement. We were all so just so relieved that what seemed such a far-fetched plan had actually come to fruition. We hugged and cried. We didn't need to say anything.

 "Our initial conversations were all via Google Translate, and over the first few days we learned much about each other. Alina is cousin to Yana and Karina, who are sisters from a very close-knit family, and they worked together in a restaurant in Vinnytsia, a city in central Ukraine. It transpired that their families were undecided which was the riskier option: staying in Ukraine or sending their children abroad to an unknown family. 

 "So they decided to send their older children, but the mothers and other younger two children stayed in Ukraine. 

 "The initial weeks were focused on getting the girls established. We organised bank accounts, mobile phones, English lessons (we now use Google Translate far less) etc. One of the first things they asked was whether they could get work in the UK. And now they are all working full-time at Charlie Bigham's in Dulcote. They enjoy being busy and productive. And they are really pleased to be earning money, much of which they send home to their families, which is a big help given the economic crisis the war has brought about.

"The enthusiasm of the girls about everything is infectious. They are so eager to learn, and they take great delight in all that is new and different about Oakhill compared with Vinnytsia. They are superb house guests, and we chat daily whilst tackling chores and cooking. But we also give each other our own space.

"The situation for their families in Ukraine has deteriorated, and they have decided that they need to take action. Alina's mother is going to remain in Ukraine as she has no other children, and she wishes to support her husband who is a driver ferrying essential supplies from the west to support the war effort. 

"However, as Marina is a single parent with two young children, she is now desperate to bring them to safety, and be reunited with Yana and Karyna. They have clearly heavily supported each other, and so being apart during this very difficult period has been a great strain for them all. 

"As Yana and Karyna are living in Oakhill and work near Wells, it would be ideal if a host could be found near Shepton Mallet or Wells for Marina, Yaraslov and Annehelin so they all see each other regularly. 

"Yana and Karyna are such amazing and wonderful people, so we are sure Marina, Yaraslov and Annehelin would be a delightful family to have in your home. If you have thought about being a sponsor, then do please consider becoming hosts for Marina, Yaraslov and Annehelina. If you would like to explore this further then please give us a call, or pop round for a chat and meet the girls. 

"If you can help three more people escape the awful situation in Ukraine, and also reunite a family again, that would be simply amazing. We would be happy to meet potential sponsors and help with paperwork, visas, etc."

Richard can be contacted on [email protected].