Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards for their recognition of the bravery of his country’s people.
Fifteen refugees took to the stage of London’s Grosvenor Hotel on Monday night where they were given a special Spirit of Freedom Award in an emotional ceremony
And tonight, their President sent a message of thanks, saying: “Hello everybody. Kyiv calling.
“Unfortunately, I cannot be with you today even by video.
“I have to deal with urgent matters connected to the war. Freedom is never free, and we are paying a huge price for it.
“But let me tell you: we are grateful to our British friends for helping to carry the burden.
“And I’m truly delighted that the people of Ukraine are being recognised in this ‘Pride of Britain’ Award.
“This sort of encouragement and recognition makes us all-the-more convinced that we are not alone in our struggle.
“That we are acting on behalf of the civilised nations of the world in battling the world’s most dangerous war-mongers.
“Thank you, Pride of Britain.”
The refugees, who wore Ukrainian colours and traditional dress for the occasion, were presented with the award by actor and Unicef ambassador Michael Sheen.
Visibly moved, he said: “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.”
Other winners at the The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with TSB included Alex Anderson, 22, who won this year’s Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award after becoming one of the first people with Asperger’s syndrome to join the Royal Air Force.
Also honoured were Elizabeth Soffe, eight, who was badly burned in a cot fire aged just eight months and has raised almost £200,000 for charity.
And the 3 Dads Walking trio of Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen were also recognsied for raising awareness of suicide after their daughters’ by undertaking a series of hikes that raised over £1m for young suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with TSB are shown on Thursday on ITV at 8pm.
