A British woman who has been hand-delivering aid to the Ukrainian border says the country holds a "close place in my heart". Faye Savage, an expat living in Poland, has been fundraising and rallying volunteers amid Russia's full-scale invasion of its European neighbour.
The 30-year-old digital consultant is using her home in Kraków as a makeshift "drop-in centre" for local people to bring aid. She is also collecting donations in the UK through a volunteer in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.
Fighting in Ukraine has so far pushed more than 500,000 people across the country's borders, the UN refugee agency reported on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a military offensive has seen international condemnation.
Ms Savage, originally from Clevedon in Somerset, is delivering aid to Ukraine's western border daily with the help of a group of volunteers. The usual two-hour drive from Poland's second-largest city now takes considerably longer.
She said the response and support for her fundraiser had been "crazy" since it launched on Friday, February 25. "My motivation, besides the completely unacceptable nature of what is going on, is that Ukraine has a close place in my heart", she said.
"Poland has always welcomed me and treated me as part of the community – a community which also has a large Ukrainian expat gathering. My two best friends are Ukrainian and I work alongside Ukrainians every day.
"I am extremely fond of the country and have travelled there too, so wanted to return a favour. I was just going to ask my parents and sister to donate at first but I have been inundated since I started the whole thing – it's crazy."
Her fundraiser has already raised more than 10,000 Polish złoty, equivalent to almost £2,000, which will go towards medical supplies. Donations of food, cleaning products, clothing and sleeping bags are also being requested as part of Ms Savage's 'Aid for Ukraine' drive.
She said her team would continue to deliver critical medical equipment and household donations for "as long as we have to".
Ms Savage first left the UK to live overseas when she was 24. After a brief stay in Australia, she has been living in Poland with her partner for the past five years. With previous experience as an estate agent, she said her next goal is to help Ukrainian refugees in Kraków gain housing and employment.
The expat described the response of Polish people to the Ukraine crisis as "incredible", from homeowners offering refugees free boarding to people volunteering to fight. She added: "We are attending protests to let Ukraine know that we are in solidarity and to keep the pressure on decision-makers to do everything possible to help Ukraine achieve peace as quickly as possible."
Ms Savage encourages people with donations or enquiries to contact her directly at: fayelouiesavage@gmail.com.
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