A Meath-based businesswoman who drove to Ukraine earlier this year to rescue her aging mum and nan from the war-torn country said she doesn't need any presents this year because she has the gift of her family for Christmas.
Luba Healy's nan Galina turned 100 years old earlier this month and the family marked the milestone occasion with a cake and a small gathering.
The mum of three who lives with her family in Trim, Co. Meath made the dash across Europe to rescue her nan and mam Nina weeks after the invasion by Russia.
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Nina had been carrying the frail Galina on her back down into shelters due to air raids.
Luba and her husband Eugene returned to Ukraine last month with medical and humanitarian supplies and she was heartbroken at the amount of refugees who were homeless at a Polish train station near the border.
"We stopped off at this town for a bite to eat but there were so many refugees at the train station. Mothers and children vying for space on the floor near the toilets and mothers telling children not to fall asleep on their bags in case their possessions were stolen.
"There were mattresses on the ground and some of our team cried with the heartbreaking sights. It's the first town across the border that the train stops off so all the refugees get off but the town has no more accommodation.
"We are lucky with what we have.
"When nana turned 100 earlier this month, she said her mum died at the age of 39 and she always believed that she would go at the same age.
"She is frail but happy. She loves sitting at the window and watching the children play and people passing by.
"Mam is excited to be spending Christmas here with her grandchildren.
"This time last year the thought never crossed my mind that all of this would have happened. If you have family around you and are safe and healthy, you have everything. Presents don't matter - it's their presence that matters.
"I just hope that this New Year will bring peace to Ukraine and to everyone suffering war and injustice around the world."
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