When Sophie Alkarnaz from Swansea met Iryna Ovchar from Ukraine while working at a kids club on a cruise ship more than eight years ago, Sophie immediately knew the pair would become firm friends - but never realised just how important their friendship could truly become.
But, struck by the awful situation in Ukraine following Russia's war on the country, Sophie knew she wanted to help however she could - and soon contacted Iryna to offer her home to her, and her five-year-old daughter, so they could escape the war and settle in the UK under the Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
Despite filling in the application form for sponsorship almost three weeks ago, however, neither Sophie nor Iryna have heard back from the UK Government. And the pair are becoming increasingly concerned about Iryna and her young daughter Zlata's safety. Whilst Russia announced it would scale-back military operations near Kyiv on Tuesday, March 29, multiple explosions were heard that night and into the early hours of Wednesday morning in the capital and in other cities.
