Stamford couple hosting Ukraine mother and son, from Kyiv, praise 'extraordinary' community support
A Stamford couple who have taken in a mother and son fleeing the war in Ukraine say offers of help from the community have been ‘extraordinary’.
Bob and Carrie Moody are hosting Olena Matviienko and her son Daniel, seven, who arrived here three weeks ago after leaving their Kyiv home.
The retired couple have since been busy helping Olena with the forms and administration for requirements such as accessing the NHS, benefits and eligibility to work.
“The good news is that they are safe and enjoying it here,” said Bob.
“People have been extraordinarily kind and have offered all sorts of things. They have helped at every step of the way.
He added:“They have only been here for three weeks so there is a lot of adjusting to do.
“The boy is traumatised. He is just hanging on to his mother. It’s sad.”
To make them feel welcome, Daniel, whose father is an emergency rescue worker, was invited for a personal tour of Stamford Fire Station last week.
“It was a pleasure to show Daniel and Olena around the station in these challenging times for the family,” said crew manager David Vines.
After the Russians invaded, Olena and Daniel fled the Ukrainian capital for the safety of the countryside while they waited for travel visas.
“When their visas came through they couldn’t get back to Kyiv to pick up their passports because the roads were all mined,” Bob explained. “It took two weeks to clear the roads of mines.”
They travelled to Poland where they were brought back to Kent by volunteers where Bob and Carrie were waiting to collect them.
“It just seemed the right thing to do,” he said.
“There but for the grace of God go any of us. You would like to think that if we were in the same position someone would help us.
“We were put on to some people who had refugee status and were desperate to get out of Kyiv.
“Husbands aren’t allowed out and it would be a worry for them to have their wives and children kicking around in those circumstances.”
Bob said they will host for ‘as long as it takes’, but will need to ensure Daniel - and other refugee children in Stamford - are enrolled in full-time education from September if the war goes on.
“I don’t think they want to be guests in perpetuity,” Bob said.
“They miss their husbands and fathers and are desperate to go home, but until it’s safe it would be a bit foolish.”
