A Ukrainian refugee who now calls Durham home has laid out the emotional impact of the continued war effort in her home country, as she returned to Ukraine to deliver medical aid.
Anna Nemesh, 39, now volunteers for humanitarian aid charities and splits her time between Ukraine and County Durham, but still hasn't forgotten the horrors of what she escaped in her home country.
When the war first began, Anna and her son Dima managed to escape downtown Kyiv with the clothes on their backs and documents to cross safely over the borders.
After finding refuge in County Durham, thanks to the Homes For Ukraine scheme, and the generous effort of her hosts Ruth Barker and Becks Lippe, she has managed to find a 'normal' life once again for her and her son - but hasn't forgotten about what people are still facing in Ukraine.
She said: "We had to leave everything we know and love behind - and only had time to take our documents. It was terrible.
"We were lucky that we escaped but so many are still there fighting for our country - we continue to pay with our lives."
Having now been in County Durham for over 18 months, Anna is trying to do all she can to help Ukraine by raising funds for medical aid, which she delivers herself to hospitals back in her home country.
She and her son Dima have found a house of their own in Durham City, with Dima managing to impressively pass his GCSEs last year when some of his family friends were fighting on the frontline.
In the most recent charity effort that Anna has taken part in, £5,000 was raised by Durham volunteers through several concerts in the city, and helped pay for a HGV full of medical equipment to be sent to Ukraine.
From December 19 to December 23, Anna is over in Ukraine to deliver the supplies herself and visit some of her family members, who she is then bringing back to the UK for a "proper" Christmas for the first time in several years.
This includes her parents Alla and Alexander visiting County Durham, as opposed to last year, where they were forced to spend Christmas Day separately.
She added: "Every penny we have raised has gone to a good cause - Ukrainian hospitals - there is nothing more precious than life and saving lives.
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"Every time I return to Ukraine, I feel emotional because we lived life good back in the country.
"I'm looking forward to Christmas - for that day, life will feel normal and good again. We must continue to help Ukraine where we can."
After Christmas, Anna will continue to help the war effort in Ukraine, as well as doing translating jobs in UK hospitals for Ukraine nationals.
She hopes to continue the role of visiting Ukraine as much as she can and hopes for an end in sight to conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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