As they gathered emotionally under dazzling lights, the women and children clustered on stage knew back home in the towns and cities they have been forced to leave, their loved ones remaining would be sitting in darkness.
These 15 refugees, fiercely patriotic in Ukrainian colours and traditional dress on stage at London’s Grosvenor House on Monday night, could picture them, coping with the cold, the blackouts, consequences of new Russian attacks on Ukraine ’s infrastructure. They knew fears would be looming large in the inkinesss of night.
Yet here they were, at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, with TSB.
It was a heartbreaking incongruity, yet they were buoyed by the force of hope and support so tangibly felt in that room of some 1000 famous faces, and the “salute” of absolute pride given by everyone there - and around the globe.
For they were not only the pride of Britain, but the pride of the world.
These resilient representatives, who have left everything dear behind and undertaken hazardous journeys to find sanctuary here, were gathered on behalf of their whole nation to accept a special Spirit of Freedom award.
Such a small token against the enormity of this eight-month conflict - eight months to the day on Monday since war broke on February 24 - which has claimed and devastated so many lives.
Yet one proffered to reinforce the support the UK continues to offer Ukraine and its people, to raise continued awareness of the ongoing war, and to say thank-you for their courage and resilience.
“We stand united with you,” said presenter Ashley Banjo.
Visibly moved, actor and Unicef Ambassador Michael Sheen, presenting the award, added:
“Your extraordinary courage and truly unbreakable resilience is a true inspiration, not just to us but to so many people around the world.
“While we may not be able to imagine your experience, we can offer our unswerving support and solidarity.
“We salute you.”
The standing ovation and thunderous clapping was the longest of the night, and the tears in the eyes of these women shone. It was a symbol they wanted to share with everyone in their war-torn homeland.
Tetyana Samborska, 59, who escaped Ukraine with daughter Valeriya, 38, but whose son, Volodymyr, remains in Kyiv, was overwhelmed. “I could see people’s eyes in the hall wet with tears, they all stood up and applauded, they looked at us with the children and I could feel their support,” she said.
“There were so many people and it was so, so powerful. It felt personal. It was an incredible moment.”
She explained conflict had brought out the very best in humanity, alongside the worst, and that watching the British ceremony for the first time, she was moved by its unique celebration of those qualities of bravery, sacrifice, endurance, kindness that had given her strength in recent months.
“The night opens hearts and focuses on the right things - when you go through war it becomes really clear what is important in life,” she explained.
She and her daughter Valeriya, who found refuge in Britain together, initially staying with a host family in Bristol “who are like our family now”, say they now hope to arrange a meeting with the Ukrainian ambassador wishing a way may be found to send the award home to Ukraine.
“It was an honour to collect the award and represent our country, we want to get it back there if we can,” said Tetyana. “It belongs there.”
Gravely, Sheen highlighted how it is so often children who bear the brunt of conflict.
Like Kyrylo and tiny Polina, wearing yellow and blue rosettes in her pigtails, whose faces were among those who appeared on the big screen voicing what they are missing most about their homes.
“I rode roller skates,” recalled Kyrylo.
“I liked to go to the river with my friends,” said Polina, smiling.
“When I come back home I’ll set up a picnic at the river with my friends.”
Most heartbreaking were their high voices of Sasha and Liza admitting they wanted to see their grandparents again.
Sheen added: “For most of us here in this room and watching at home, fortunately it will be impossible to imagine what you and the other families of Ukraine are going through and have gone through.”
Later he added he was “humbled”, explaining: “It’s an award that I’m sure everyone here wishes they weren’t getting, that there was no reason for us to be doing this.
“But we felt on behalf of Pride of Britain that it was important to show our solidarity and to keep showing solidarity, because obviously the moment that people aren’t saying that they give their support, it’s not in the newspapers and on the front pages, it only helps the enemy.”
On stage, Diana Kocheva, 30, flowers in her hair, admitted “everyone is tired these days.”
She is now alone in Britain, a pair of jeans, a coat, two shirts, a swimsuit, a laptop and her corgi George all she has left now of her old life.
Her stoic parents Valerii and Tatiana insist on remaining in Zaporizhzhya, southeast Ukraine.
She desperately worries for them as rockets fall close by, waking each morning to immediately check her phone for messages saying they are OK.
She explained it was support from Britain, Europe and the wider world which gave Ukrainians “enough power to wake up and start their day”.
Encapsulating that sheer resilience Sheen saluted, she said: “We are not just fighting for our country but we are fighting for the whole world.”
Later, she admitted feeling “imposter syndrome”, wanting to highlight the efforts of those remaining in Ukraine; the army, the volunteers, the medics.
“We have collected this award for all of those people, I am just a messenger,” she said.
But here in Britain she continues to do what she can to bolster Ukrainian spirits, setting up a community in London for Ukrainian women who work in IT, and so far finding 60 jobs.
This is how she fights oppression. “ Russia should not stop us, war should not stop us,” she says, fiercely.
“We have no option, we must continue to work harder, to help others.”
“I am proud of the Ukrainian resistance,” she added. “And I felt so privileged to be surrounded by people who care.”
ends
Watch the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with TSB tonight THURS on ITV, 8pm.
