<div><strong>My name is Theresa Novotny. For over thirty years, I chaired the Oldham branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline (CCLL) charity, helping children from Belarus come to the UK for fresh air, good nutrition, and a break from the long-term effects of the Chernobyl disaster.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>One of those children was <strong>Alla</strong>—a bright, kind, and determined young girl who stayed with local families in Saddleworth and grew to love this country deeply. Among those who welcomed her were <strong>Helen and John Rigby</strong>, who supported Alla not only during her childhood visits but also when she returned to the UK as an adult, with her daughter, to study and build a better future.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Alla is now an accomplished English teacher and interpreter, and the devoted mother of her 10-year-old daughter, who is thriving in school here.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Today, we are asking for your help to ensure <strong>they are not forced to return to Belarus</strong>, where political repression and social instability would place them in genuine danger.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>What We’re Raising Funds For</strong>
</div>
<div>Alla is actively pursuing <strong>two official UK visa pathways </strong>in tandem, both of which she intends to apply for:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Private Life (Indefinite Leave to Remain)</strong> – based on their deep integration into UK life, community ties, and her daughter’s educational and emotional wellbeing. This application must be submitted <strong>before Alla’s current visa expires on 15 June 2025</strong>. Once submitted, she and her daughter will be legally permitted to remain in the UK while the application is processed.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa</strong> – Alla is also applying for teaching and interpreting roles with licensed UK employers. If offered a post, she will apply for a Skilled Worker Visa to enable long-term employment and residence.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Both routes are legally valid and together represent the best chance of stability. However, they also carry significant costs:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>£6,624</strong> for the Private Life visa application (covering both Alla and her daughter)
</li>
<li><strong>£14,427</strong> for the Skilled Worker Visa route (including NHS surcharges and application fees for both)
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>These figures do not include additional costs for translation, biometric appointments, or legal/documentary support.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Stepped Fundraising Target</strong>
</div>
<div>The total amount we are raising is <strong>£21,051</strong>, which covers the full cost of both visa applications for Alla and her daughter. To ensure the process begins as soon as possible, we are adopting a stepped fundraising strategy:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Our initial visible fundraising goal is <strong>£6,624</strong>, to cover the Private Life route.
</li>
<li>As soon as this target is reached, Alla will submit her Private Life visa application—ideally before <strong>1 June 2025</strong>, to avoid any risk of overstaying. This application, once submitted, provides an automatic legal right to remain in the UK during its processing.
</li>
<li>We will then continue fundraising toward the full total of <strong>£21,051</strong> to ensure Alla is also prepared to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa if and when she is offered a qualifying role. She is already attending interviews and remains highly proactive in seeking employment.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every donation—whether it helps us reach the initial milestone or supports the full campaign—brings this family closer to safety and stability.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>All funds will be managed with full transparency. If any portion is no longer required (e.g. if a waiver is granted), remaining funds will be held for legal/renewal purposes, returned where possible, or donated responsibly.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>‍<strong>About Alla and her daughter</strong>
</div>
<div>Alla holds a <strong>Master’s degree with distinction</strong> in TESOL &amp; Applied Linguistics from Manchester Metropolitan University. She currently teaches ESOL and works as a freelance interpreter, often supporting refugees who have fled war.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Her daughter is a bright, kind, and talented young girl. She speaks fluent, native-accented English, was elected as a Student Council representative at her local primary school, and has recently been offered a <strong>fully funded place—including an Art Scholarship—at one of Greater Manchester’s most respected independent grammar schools</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>That place, and her chance to thrive, depends on a successful visa outcome.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Where Will the Money Go?</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Visa application fees for the Private Life and Skilled Worker Visa routes
</li>
<li>Legal, translation, biometric, and document-related expenses
</li>
<li>Any remaining funds will be used for future legal needs, renewals, or donated to a related cause—with full transparency
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We will publish updates and breakdowns as funds are used.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>A Community Standing Together</strong>
</div>
<div>This campaign is organised by <strong>Theresa Novotny</strong>, in collaboration with <strong>Helen and John Rigby</strong>, and with <strong>Alla’s full consent and participation</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our local community—including teachers, former host families, friends, and fellow residents—stands behind Alla and her daughter. We believe they have earned their place in the UK not just by law, but through contribution, connection, and care.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>✨<strong> How You Can Help</strong>
</div>
<div>Every donation, no matter how small, helps secure the future of this mother and daughter. If you can’t give, please share the campaign link or pass it along to someone who might.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With heartfelt thanks,
</div>
<div>Theresa Novotny
</div>
<div>with Helen and John Rigby
</div>
<div>&amp; supporters of Alla and her daughter
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>1. What is this campaign for?</strong>
</div>
<div>This fundraiser supports Alla and her daughter  in remaining lawfully and securely in the UK by covering the significant costs of two visa applications—both of which Alla intends to pursue:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Private Life (Indefinite Leave to Remain)</strong> – to be submitted before Alla’s current visa expires on <strong>15 June 2025</strong>
</li>
<li><strong>Skilled Worker Visa</strong> – to be submitted once Alla secures a qualifying role with a licensed UK employer
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>2. Why both visa applications?</strong>
</div>
<div>These two legal pathways each provide different options for long-term residence and stability in the UK. They are not alternatives—<strong>both are necessary</strong>:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>The <strong>Private Life visa</strong> protects their immediate legal status. Once submitted, it allows Alla and her daughter to remain in the UK during the Home Office’s decision-making process.
</li>
<li>The <strong>Skilled Worker Visa</strong> provides a longer-term employment-based solution. Alla is actively applying for relevant roles and has multiple interviews arranged.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>3. What is the fundraising goal?</strong>
</div>
<div>We are raising a total of <strong>£21,051</strong> to cover all application fees for both routes:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>£6,624</strong> – Private Life route for Alla and her daughter
</li>
<li><strong>£14,427</strong> – Skilled Worker Visa route, including NHS surcharge for both
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We are using a stepped goal strategy:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Our initial public target is <strong>£6,624</strong>, to allow the Private Life application to be submitted—<strong>ideally before 1 June 2025</strong>
</li>
<li>The campaign target will increase in a second phase to complete funding for the Skilled Worker Visa
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>4. What happens after the Private Life application is submitted?</strong>
</div>
<div>Once submitted, <strong>Alla and her daughter are permitted to remain in the UK</strong> while their application is being processed. This provides crucial time to continue pursuing sponsorship and employment offers for the Skilled Worker Visa application without legal disruption.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>5. What will the funds be used for?</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Home Office application fees
</li>
<li>NHS surcharges (for Skilled Worker route)
</li>
<li>Document translation, biometric appointments, and supporting paperwork
</li>
<li>Legal advice, if necessary
</li>
<li>Any surplus will be used responsibly (e.g., for renewals, returned to donors where possible, or donated to a relevant cause)
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>6. Is this campaign legitimate?</strong>
</div>
<div>Yes. This campaign is organised by <strong>Theresa Novotny</strong>, former Chairwoman of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline in Oldham, with the public support of <strong>Helen and John Rigby</strong>, and <strong>Alla’s full consent and participation</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Theresa and the Rigbys have known Alla for over 20 years and continue to support her and her daughter as trusted community members.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>7. What if one application succeeds before the other?</strong>
</div>
<div>Both applications serve different purposes. However, if one visa becomes unnecessary or a cost is waived, the funds will be redirected toward the other route or held for legal follow-up. We will update all donors with complete transparency.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>8. What about the education of Alla's daughter?</strong>
</div>
<div>Alla's daughter is thriving both academically and socially. She currently attends a local Church of England primary school and has recently been offered a fully funded place—<strong>including an Art Scholarship—at one of Greater Manchester’s most respected independent grammar schools</strong>. These opportunities, and her continued development, depend on a stable visa outcome.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>9. How can I stay updated or help further?</strong>
</div>
<div>Updates will be posted on GoFundMe. You can also help by:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Sharing the campaign widely
</li>
<li>Connecting us to potential UK employers with sponsorship licences
</li>
<li>Sending words of encouragement for Alla and her daughter
</li>
</ul>

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