Nan, 99, rescued after Luba’s ferry appeal answered
THE brave daughter who rescued her mum and 99-year-old nan from Ukraine were due home last night after an appeal to secure a ferry booking was answered by Stena Line.
Luba Healy, her husband Eugene, son Francis and friend Diarmuid Dawson made the 6,000km trek from Trim, Co Meath, in a camper van to rescue her mum Nina, 70, and nan Galina.
They also collected five adult neighbours, a fouryear-old girl and three dogs last Monday to bring to Ireland for refuge.
However, due to constant stoppages to check on Galina’s health, the convoy missed a ferry back last Wednesday and feared a six-day wait to secure another booking.
Their appeal for help was answered by Stena Line who offered to accommodate them on the overnight ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare free of charge and with meals provided.
Ahead of docking Luba said: “We are all very tired. Our faces are worn with tiredness but we are so happy to finally get home.
“The end is in sight and I can’t wait to get nana and mam back to Trim. The guys back home have transformed our play room into a downstairs room for nana, with a special bed and mattress and everything.
“I can’t wait to see my daughter and baby son. I missed them so much.
“There are so many people we want to thank for helping us on this journey but we are hugely thankful to Stena Line for answering our call.
“Nana and many of the ladies with us have never been on a ferry before so it is an experience for them.”
Luba left her home last Saturday after finally persuading her mum and nan to come to Ireland.
Since the Russian invasion began, Luba had been ringing her mum constantly, not knowing if she would get to talk to her again the following day.
Apart from a visit to Crimea when she was 28, Galina has never left Ukraine and was being pushed to air raid shelters in a wheelbarrow by Nina who then carried her on her back down to the basements.
After the emotional reunion, Luba said she could now “breathe and sleep again”.