‘We’ve experienced so much friendship since coming to Hull’
UKRAINIAN REFUGEE GIVES BACK TO HER HOME COUNTRY
A REFUGEE from Ukraine now living in Hull is helping with the delivery of donated aid back to her home country.
Teiianna Cazacu, 42, is a volunteer at the Hull 4 Ukraine centre in the former Staples store in the city centre.
A victim of the Russia Ukraine war, she arrived in Hull in April with her husband Aurel and the couple are staying with his sister.
Describing how she began working with Hull 4 Ukraine, she said: “I first came here because I heard from the council this was the place you could get things to help you settle in.
“Ever since then, I have been helping here every day because it’s also helping people back home too.
“Every day people are bringing in donations. They are so kind and I want to thank everyone who has donated items to Hull 4 Ukraine. It really means so much to me. “
Originally from the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, she said the Russian invasion had left her no choice but to flee to safety.
“Hopefully, we will be able to return one day when the occupation is over and Ukraine is victorious. Until then, we must wait here.
“We have experienced so much friendship and hospitality since coming to Hull. People have been so kind and my husband has just started a job so we are very happy.
“We are very grateful for the way Britain has stood by Ukraine and its people. This support will never be forgotten.”
Earlier this week, the couple – along with the growing number of Ukrainian refugees in Hull, attended a special concert at Trinity Methodist Church in Cottingham Road.
It featured four choirs and concluded singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
The volunteer-run Hull 4 Ukraine community group has also been celebrating the recent arrival in Romania of the second truckload of aid from Hull. Group member Alan Hardy said: “We are really pleased that our second truck of aid has reached its destination in Romania. We know that these desperately needed items will make a big difference to a lot of people.
“We are so appreciative of all the kind people who donated cash and goods for our appeal, to Hull City Council and KWL for sponsoring the truck, and also the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.”
The donation centre, in Myton Street, is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, and is being run by the Hull 4 Ukraine group in conjunction with the Hull 4 Heroes charity.
Next week it will be closed on Thursday and Friday as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday.