A PRIVATE hospital in the North East is seeking to sponsor visas for Ukrainian refugees and their families.
Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, is part of the scheme sponsoring work visas for refugees, creating jobs across the country.
It is being led by Circle Health Group, the independent healthcare provider which owns the hospital in Morton Park.
Read more: Darlington school wants to cut ties with Russian energy firm Gazprom
It total, 500 work visas will be created across its 54 sites in the UK.
Paolo Pieri, chief executive of Circle Health Group, said: "As one of the UK’s big employers, Circle want to offer jobs and a fresh start to Ukrainian refugees forced to flee from their homeland.
“We are eager to help in some small way and stand with the Ukrainian people in this moment of unspeakable suffering."
Debbie Dobbs, executive director of Woodlands Hospital, said: "We are pleased to be part of Circle Health Group's offer to sponsor Ukranian refugees.
“We have also provided over £2,500 of medical supplies to support services for Ukranian refugees in eastern Poland."
Read more: Many hippy returns...the quirky Darlington shop that's 50 years old today
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here