If the Cat stays, so do I

Whilst in Poland, Amanda visited a humanitarian aid centre where refugees were staying before leaving for their new lives in various countries. She noticed that there were queues to apply for visas in every country except the UK. Curious as to why, she spoke to a charity who were helping refugees apply for visas in England.

Aside from the many refugees crossing the border into Poland, Amanda also met several selfless volunteers. Paul’s from Falkirk and has decided he wants to use his retirement for good, so is travelling solo to Lviv, while David’s using his events company to provide equipment and manpower at Medyka.

This episode belongs to Natalia. Not only is she a mum and teacher, but also the first person that Amanda spoke to when she arrived at the Poland-Ukraine border. This is how she explained the situation to her children and her pupils.

Although it no longer appears on the arrivals or departures boards, every day, a train from Lviv arrives in Przemy?l, carrying mostly women and children fleeing Ukraine. Amanda spends some time at Przemy?l Train Station, hearing the stories of the people arriving in Poland. She also meets those who have decided to return to Ukraine.

Inspired by Robert, whose story was heard in episode 8 of Ukraine’s Hidden Voices, Amanda travelled to Poland to visit some of the borders being used by Ukrainian refugees. Hear from those who are crossing, waiting, and helping at Medyka, a village in south-eastern Poland that borders Ukraine.

Robert, a husband and dad of two, swapped the comfort of his own bed for the front seat of a hire car. Leaving his family in the UK, he travelled to where Poland borders Ukraine to deliver aid, essential items and, at times, comfort to the refugees displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

Geoff and his Ukrainian wife, Tanya, decided to stay in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, despite the current conflict. They’re dedicating their lives to supporting the city’s increasing population of stray animals, largely made up of pets unwillingly left behind by their owners. Geoff tells the story of a woman who’s choosing to pay for cat food instead of her chemotherapy and explains how locals prioritise their pet’s health and wellbeing above their own.

Serhii is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from Kyiv. Until recently, he was delivering babies to a soundtrack of gunfire and missile strikes. Him and his wife recently made the treacherous journey to Lviv, where they’re currently living with Serhii’s parents.

Adrian is a Nuclear Engineer who spent a decade working at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Whilst living in nearby Slavutych, he met his wife. Although they now live together in the UK, their family remains in Slavutych, a city that, since the invasion, has been left without power, food supplies or medical aid.

Rita lives in Poland. Her mum, dad and 15 year old sister live in Odessa but it’s becoming far too dangerous to stay there. Her sister had a window of opportunity to leave but would only leave to join Rita if she was allowed to take her cat with her. Thankfully Rita’s sister AND her cat have just made it out of Ukraine. But Rita’s mum and dad are still there with the conflict getting closer each day.