A big-hearted West Lothian couple have helped a Ukrainian family of six to seek asylum in the county and are asking for the community’s help in supporting them once they get here.
John and Irina Young from Livingston have applied for visas for their friends fleeing Ukraine – a couple with four young children, including a seven-month-old baby.
Irina went to university with the mother of the young Ukrainian family and they kept in touch as tensions with Russia continued to heighten.
The refugee family fled Kyiv, their home city, once Russia invaded. The father made sure his family were safe near the Polish border before returning to Kyiv to fight the invasion force.
After a few days of fighting he returned to protect his family, knowing that their home and city had been flattened by the Russians.
John Young spoke about supporting the Ukrainian family during the invasion, he said:
“The whole situation in Ukraine is so close to home, not only that it’s a European country, but that we have friends living there as well.
“My wife and I have two young children ourselves so we knew we had to help our friends and their children in Ukraine.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to support them since it happened, but there’s only so much we can do – they’ve really had to leave everything behind, they have nothing but the clothes on their backs.
In the midst of all this the Youngs from Livingston kept in communication with the Ukrainians as much as they could – getting in touch with an immigration lawyer and submitting a Home Office application.
For the last week, the family have been living between their car and lodging with private citizens in Germany – living in limbo until their Home Office application is accepted.
The Ukrainian family have accommodation waiting for them in Linlithgow, as arranged by John and Irina on incredibly short notice.
Their new home will be available to them in around two weeks from now – although they will not be able to come to Britain until their Home Office application is approved.
John and Irina plan to support their friends in any way they can when they arrive in West Lothian, and have asked the community if they could help support their newest members as well.
John started a GoFundMe to give the family a bit of financial support when they arrive – as they won’t be able to work until their visas are approved and their biometric IDs supplied.
John said: “I started the crowdfunding page for them to help them stand on their feet when they get here and get provisions like beds, mattresses, food, clothes, and assorted baby items.
“It’s horrific what’s happened to them, they’ve lost everything but themselves, and I only hope our community will wrap their arms around them and let them know that they are welcome.”
John concludes: “All we can do now is wait until the Home Office application is approved. It’s frustrating as there is accommodation waiting for them and they’ve certainly been through enough.
“I can take comfort in knowing they’re out of immediate danger at least but I hope they don’t have to wait much longer to start their life in West Lothian.”
Those that wish to support the Ukrainian family when they arrive in Linlithgow are able to do so by donating to the GoFundMe, which can be found on the Growing up in Livingston Facebook page.
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