Mr NIKOLAY - Raising Funds for the Ukraine Crisis

LAST UPDATED - 27 September 2024

'There must be a future with a just and stable peace - a free and secure Ukraine - and the beginning of a generation's long process of healing and reconciliation' - Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

As the Russo-Ukrainian War moves towards 1,000 days there are few, if any, Ukrainian families who have not been impacted; emotionally, financially, physically or tragically.

STOP PRESS ... ... ... following discussions with Birmingham City Council, monthly Ukrainian rallies will re-commence on the first Saturday of each month; the first will be SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2024. At these rallies, you will have the opportunity to donate to our humanitarian projects (see more below).

ADDENDUM - GoFundMe are rightly reviewing fundraisers related to the Ukraine crisis to help ensure fundraisers are compliant. The Trust & Safety team at GoFundMe completed its review of this account on Friday 27 September 2024, and the account is cleared to continue raising funds on GoFundMe. I am happy to provide the information required to ensure complete transparency:

My Full Name - Nicholas Arthur Surtees Wormald

Names of individuals or organisations we are (or we have) raising money for:

Charitable Foundation Saint George Caritas 88000, Uzhhorod

Learning Without Borders School, Budapest

Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital, Kyiv

Hostomel Primary Healthcare Center, Hostomel

The Center for Children and Youth Creativity of Ivankiv Village Council, Ivankiv

Sergiy Hrynenko, Veteran of 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Prybirs’k

Cities where funds and assistance are being sent:

I personally source and deliver humanitarian aid directly to 'our' projects. As at 1 October 2024, I have visited Ukraine sixteen times during the war supporting those benefitting from our fundraising endeavours; I do NOT send any cash; this ensures complete transparency of all funds raised. Cities where humanitarian aid has or is being sent include Budapest, Chernihiv, Hostomel, Ivankiv, Kyiv, Prybirs’k, Uzhhorod and Volodarka.

A detailed plan explaining how the money will be used:

Charitable Foundation Saint George Caritas 88000, Uzhhorod - food and humanitarian aid taken to Uzhhorod under the guidance of 'Peter the Priest' (Uzhhorod priest).

Learning Without Borders School, Budapest - assisting Migration Aid (Hungary) establish a school in Budapest for displaced Ukrainian children.

Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital, Kyiv - medical equipment support for the Emergency Ward and the Microsurgery Ward.

Hostomel Primary Healthcare Center, Hostomel - employing two psychologists to treat children suffering the effects of PTSD.

The Center for Children and Youth Creativity of Ivankiv Village Council, Ivankiv - supporting this ‘prykhystok’, (a shelter or refuge) with operational costs; our work supports 1,917 local children.

Sergiy Hrynenko, Veteran of 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Prybirs’k - Sergiy is disabled save for his left arm; support with medical needs and encouraging his art therapy.

Please be assured that I fund all my own personal expenses; flights, accommodation and meals. This ensures that every penny you kindly donate is applied to supporting a project for the Ukrainian community; I take no 'overhead' expenses.

OUR MOST RECENT PROJECT ... on 8 July 2024, Russia attacked Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital in Kyiv causing devastation and outrage across the globe. Our work has purchased twenty new Invacare Essential Care Pressure Relieving Mattresses to support re-establishing the Emergency Ward at Okhmatdyt. Pictured below - me delivering the mattresses to Serhii Klymenko, Head of Emergency at Okhmatdyt on Wednesday 18 September 2024; thank you to everyone who supported this project:

OUR NEXT PROJECT ... will be to continue supporting the re-establishment of Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital in Kyiv. Three wards (the Emergency Ward, the Microsurgery Ward and the Neo-Natal Ward) have been invited to decide which one of them should be our next beneficiary. A nominated piece of equipment up to the value of £5,000 will be agreed by 18 October 2024.

Maybe I am the face of this but, without your support and generosity, none of this would be possible. Recently, I went on a field visit with two surgeons (Ihor Shulzhyk, Neo-Natal and Inna Shulzhyk, Emergency) from Okhmatdyt to Hostomel and Ivankiv to continue our project work. The following day, Ihor wrote to me:

Good morning, Nick!

I absolutely agree with you, it was amazing day and frankly speaking I don’t know how to express my respect, gratitude and joy related to you! Thanks to your help many people will have a chance to live, or for better life!

This is why we do what we do.

SINCE THE START OF THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR, I have been into Ukraine sixteen times supporting displaced communities and other projects as Ukrainians look to rebuild their shattered lives whilst defending themselves from this continued aggression.

I first established this site in March 2022; much of what I have written holds good today. I know what I have written is long; it is as seen through my own eyes; it is harrowing and, it is heart-breaking; please take time to read it.

Thursday 26 September 2024 ... as I write this today, the funds raised stand at a scarcely believable ... £85,183 ... now, let's work our way towards £90,000 to continue our project work.

Thank you, everyone, for your unwavering support and generosity throughout these long days. We have been able to support many initiatives; you can read about some of these below. Our work is far from done; as we move forward, we have established projects with longevity; these are, perhaps, more important than before as we help many come to terms with life changing injuries.

INTRODUCTION

At the start of this crisis, Hungarian friends of mine drove to Tiszabecs, a crossing on the Hungary-Ukraine border; the scenes were chaotic, relying solely on volunteer help; they helped for three days until exhaustion took hold. They went home for a day before, on Friday 4 March 2022, heading to Budapest Keleti International Railway Station; we spoke in a video call; the scenes were the most appalling, the most harrowing, the most heart-breaking I have witnessed - ever. (The 'profile' photo at the head of this platform is Budapest Keleti Railway Station ticket office, Friday 4 March 2022).

The platforms were overflowing with women, their children and elderly relatives, many completely traumatised, penniless; the fear of never seeing their loved ones again. They were stranded, unable to even buy a train ticket; most didn’t want to remain in Hungary but to reach another part of Europe where they may have family or friends. The three of us were too upset to talk.

So, we spoke at midnight when they returned home; I said I (’we’) want to help; ‘how’, I asked; my friends' response was ‘cash, cash, cash’; there was no organisation; no food, no water, no free toilet; no transport; nothing. On the morning of Saturday 5 March 2022, I went to my local Prontaprint; they printed me 150 letters free of charge; I placed them through nearby letterboxes; I was hoping to raise maybe a couple of thousand. I could never have imagined a dawn was breaking (nor that my retirement would become so busy) …

Mr Nikolay - the name. I was asked by many people - here in England, in Hungary and in Ukraine - for the name of 'our Group’; saying it’s Knowle and Dorridge and the broader community in Warwickshire, Worcestershire and The West Midlands didn’t really cut it. In Hungary, they all call me ‘Mr Nikolay’; I thought this gave everything an identity; at the time, I couldn’t think of anything else; I hope it’s a platform that we can all stand behind.

BACKGROUND

My visits to Ukraine have included seven times to Uzhhorod with food and essential supplies, taking them to the ‘Charitable Foundation Saint George Caritas’ run by the remarkable Father Peter ('Peter the Priest') and, more recently, nine times to Kyiv including to Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin where the early day images so horrified the human world. Pictured below - me walking in Hostomel, October 2022:

My first visit to Kyiv was on Monday 10 October 2022, arriving into Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station at 09:46 hrs in the midst of Putin’s barbaric revenge to the Kerch Bridge attack. News, of course, had already spread as the train approached Kyiv. The sense of anger yet undiminished resolve and determination was palpable. I left the train and descended to the subway beneath the platforms. Reality struck; the subway was packed, overflowing with women and children, traumatised and crying.

I emerged from the subway into the vast plaza in front of the station building. I was the ONLY person in the plaza apart from Ukrainian police. Despite the sirens and mayhem of broken glass everywhere, there was an eerie calmness; the thud and boom of rockets exploding across Kyiv disturbed the silence.

The randomness of the continued attacks was horrific and, inexcusable. Picture below - a misguided missile that landed beside the children's play area in Taras Shevchenko Park, central Kyiv:

When I returned to Kyiv in January 2023, the attacks continued; at 08:30 hrs on Saturday 14 January 2023 my hosts and I were shaken from our beds as four rockets landed nearby; the house shook in its boots; danger is never far away. Pictured below - house destroyed by falling debris less than 100 metres from my hosts' house in Kyiv:

I could write forever; I write notes as I go along, trying to capture, in the moment, what I see, my mood and my emotions; I look back and many of them are upsetting. Later, I share some of them that try to encapsulate scenes as seen through my own eyes; long, I know, but many people have kindly said they help to form an understanding. But first, we look at our current projects, followed by some examples where your generosity has helped so much.

OUR CURRENT PROJECTS ... ... ...

1 ... OKHMATDYT NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, KYIV

On 28 January 2023, Serhii Klymenko, Pediatric Surgeon and Head of Emergency Department at the hospital wrote to me:

‘Dear Mr Nick !

The need for medical assistance has increased significantly not only among the military, but also among the civilian population, in particular children, due to the constant shelling of our country. In connection with the destruction of many hospitals and maternity homes, the need for providing highly qualified care for children has increased significantly, and our hospital, as the main children’s hospital of the country, is doing everything possible to ensure effective treatment of patients from all over the country. In addition, we have been and remain the largest centre in Ukraine for the treatment of congenital and acquired malformations.’ Picture below - Okhmatdyt June 2023; handing a coagulator to Serhii and his team.

As stated before, I do not donate cash; it is a condition of any aid that evidence be provided that equipment is fully and properly used. Serhii wrote 'I, the director of emergency medical care, Sergiy Klimenko, am grateful for the Nadezhda - 4 diathermy coagulator purchased by Nick, which we really need for daily work and saving children and I hope for further help. Thank you!' Picture below - Serhii Klymenko at work:

2 ... HOSTOMEL PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTER, HOSTOMEL

I first met Olena, the Director of Hostomel Primary Healthcare on my visit in June 2023; I had no idea of her story; Olena is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.

On the first day of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Russian forces advanced on the Kyiv suburb of Hostomel and its airport, bringing unspeakable horror on the town and its residents; intercepted phone conversations between Russian soldiers called this ‘zachistka’ - cleansing. The battle for Hostomel Airport was the first major battle of the war; the town was given the title Hero City of Ukraine.

The Healthcare Clinic was stormed; the adjoining laboratory building ransacked and destroyed; the building remains derelict today; a senseless act of violence and aggression. Pictured below - the former Hostomel Primary Healthcare Centre laboratory:

Olena was beaten and taken to her home; there, the Russians shot her husband Oleh through the thigh and knee and locked him in an upright refrigerator. Plastic bags were placed over the heads of Olena, Oleh and Dima (their son, aged 22), taped around their necks; Olena’s medical training said they had forty seconds to live. A Russian soldier slit the bags with a knife but the beatings and interrogations continued.

Eventually, Olena was released; Oleh and Dima were abducted to Russia; after some weeks, Oleh was returned as part of an early prisoner exchange. To this day, they await news of Dima, his welfare and whereabouts unknown, hoping and praying

one day they will all be reunited.

Imagine for one moment the turmoil and the torture. Yet, through this, Olena has dedicated her life to helping others, going about her work, selflessly placing the welfare of others way above her own; her dedication, compassion and professionalism are beyond words. She tells me of her five-point vision for the future:

Olena has described to me that the incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children in Hostomel is amongst the highest of anywhere in Ukraine; hard to prove but equally hard to disprove. She eloquently explains that unless the children of Ukraine are treated today, Ukraine will have no future tomorrow. Her vision was to employ two psychologists to treat the children; but only if she could fund the salaries for an initial twelve-month period. The cost; in total; two salaries; one year; £10,000.

With your generosity, we have achieved this goal; in October 2024, I will visit Olena in Hostomel to pay the fourth quarterly payment of £2,500. Discussions will determine whether this project should be continued in 2025.

3 ... CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH CREATIVITY OF IVANKIV VILLAGE COUNCIL, IVANKIV

Faced with brutal military aggression, some countries would have chosen the path of stiffening the regime. Not Ukraine; on the contrary, efforts have been intensified to make governance more transparent and effective. The deepening of decentralisation gives more power to citizens, strengthens local ownership of policies, and consolidates social cohesion.

In order to have liberty, cooperation partnerships between Ukraine and others are fundamental. Among all the challenges concerning the civilian population, children are the priority. They suffer terribly, and they are the future of Ukraine. Travelling to Europe, meeting young people from other cultures, gaining experience, and acquiring skills will allow the younger generations to continue the work of liberation.

The abduction of over 16,200 Ukrainian children by Russia is a war crime according to the International Criminal Court. Support for the millions of Ukrainian children who are suffering because of the war must be at the heart of the cooperation partnerships. These children need a 'prykhystok', (a shelter or refuge), to breathe away from the horrors of the war, to be children again, to overcome the immeasurable trauma they suffer and to continue to live, in spite of this, with this.

The Centre for Children and Youth Creativity of Ivankiv Village Council is one such 'prykhystok'.

Supporting the development of children and youth empowerment centres in Ukraine, especially in the areas that are the most affected by the war, is fundamental. The establishment of cooperation partnerships, with actions for children at their heart, will support the movement of decentralisation and the deepening of democracy in Ukraine. It is the victory of liberty and democracy against authoritarianism and oppression that is at stake.

This afternoon (18 October 2023) I sat with Viktória who is Director at the centre. It was very uplifting to be told 'Nick, you are the first person to suggest a co-operation to us; it will enable us to grow'. I have set the children a project; to make traditional Christmas decorations to sell in our community; they will arrive early December; please support this initiative.

Ivankiv is located in northern Ukraine, near Chernobyl and close to the Belarus border. The hospital here was 'front-line' during the disaster of 1986; there is a small museum; on one wall, a mural depicting this catastrophe. Picture below - the Chernobyl disaster:

4 ... SERHIY HRYNENKO - VETERAN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, PRYBIRS'K

Throughout my work, I have thought it maybe an idea to have our 'heroes'; people who we can follow and whose rehabilitation we can support. The first of these is Serhiy Hrynenko; here is his story as written by Ivankiv Hospital:

'A person who is a fighter, an optimist, always smiling and friendly, next to him you feel somehow exalted, despite his state of health. In 2015, Serhiy was seriously injured near Starognativka, Donetsk region: a sniper’s bullet severely injured his skull and brain. He was in the intensive care unit for more than two months, had to undergo several complex operations, but Serhiy is still semi-paralyzed, needs surgical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as constant help from his mother Valentyna. Picture below - Valentyna, Mr. Nikolay, Serhiy:

After the injury, the boy developed a desire to draw. At first, this activity was like rehabilitation to develop the hand, and later it turned into a hobby. Serhiy Hrynenko has the status of a participant in the war, received a certificate of a participant in hostilities.

Awarded the Badge of Honor from the Ministry of Defense.

We wish Serhiy a speedy recovery, we admire his strength of spirit!'

Ivankiv is located in northern Ukraine, near Chernobyl and close to the Belarus border. Now that Serhiy has left hospital, he wishes to regain his independence, financially supporting himself and his Mum. I have a portfolio of Serhiy's work that I am selling on his behalf; all proceeds from the sale of his remarkable paintings, made with his left hand, will be handed directly to Serhiy on my future visits to Ivankiv. Picture below - one of Serhiy's paintings:

UPDATE - 28 SEPTEMBER 2024 - TEXT BELOW TO BE UPDATED

SOME OF OUR EARLY PROJECTS ... ... ...

1 ... KELETI INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY STATION, BUDAPEST

In the early days, I met Edit, a Hungarian lady who had a small table in the Keleti foyer; the station only allowed her to stay there because she'd been there from the very first day. She and her friends worked every day providing free sandwiches and water and 200 forint coins for the toilets.

They did this from their own pockets or from friends; they spent 70,000 forints every day (about £150). How she got the money, I have no idea because they were clearly poor Hungarian people. Saturday 2 April 2022, she spent 50,500 forints (about £120; 200 people) on helping people have access to the toilets at Keleti; I know this because I have the receipt. Pictured below - some of the provisions provided by our community at Keleti International Railway Station; Thursday 7 May 2022:

I wrote this ... And, the toilet at Keleti costs 200 forints (40p - it’s gone up to 250 forints today) but, again, they have no money. And, the water standpipe doesn't always work so there is no water. And, there's no food so they are hungry. They only get these items if they pass through the transit camp; approximately 30% don't; the living nightmare deepens. Many arriving are so poor and so uneducated they have no idea how to use a flush toilet.

For the first three months of the war, our community funded sandwiches, water and toilet facilities at Keleti.

2 ... AID TO CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SAINT GEORGE CARITAS, UZHHOROD

During the height of the refugee crisis in the summer of 2022, it was estimated there were up to 300,000 refugees living in Uzhhorod; a city roughly the same size as Solihull with a resident population of 115,000; a ratio of almost 3:1.

Through connections in Hungary, I was introduced to Peter ('Peter the Priest'), a quite remarkable man and Priest of the beautiful St. George's Church in Uzhhorod. Peter is Hungarian but has lived and worked in Ukraine for many years; his twin brother, Gyuri lies in Esztergom in Hungary. A local Hungarian mayor kindly agreed to lend us his community's mini-van. Gyuri and I did multiple food and aid runs to Uzhhorod during the first six months of the war.

Pictured below - our second food and aid delivery to Uzhhorod; Monday 25 April 2022 (left to right, Mr Nikolay, Zoli, Peter the Priest and Attila):

3 ... LEARNING WITHOUT BORDERS SCHOOL, BUDAPEST

This 'school' (more properly a ‘Day Care Centre’ to comply with Hungarian legislation) is situated on the fifth floor of a building occupied by ‘Obi’ (the equivalent of B&Q); they have donated the space free of charge; the furniture is being donated, much of it by Ikea. The walls have been beautifully decorated by Ukrainian refugee artists.

On Friday 22 April 2022, Migration Aid (Hungary) invited me to a meeting; they outlined their plans for the 'school'; 15 Ukrainian teachers, teaching 80 Ukrainian children, in Ukrainian; they needed funding. Notwithstanding the enormity of the project (18,000,000 forints; £40,000), I am humbled beyond words to have been asked; I had little option but to say 'yes'; it is, of course, a massive statement about what our community has already delivered in Budapest (and, in Uzhhorod in Ukraine). The centre opened to the children on Tuesday 26 April 2022; the 'official opening' was on Friday 6 May 2022. Initially, this was a short-term project to the end of the school year in June 2022 that directly benefited Ukrainian refugees.

The aims of the 'school' are:

To provide short-term paid employment for 15 refugee Ukrainian teachers

To provide a structured learning environment for 80 refugee Ukrainian children

To provide proper meals and nourishment for the Ukrainian children

To enable Ukrainian mothers to take part-time day jobs whilst their children learn

On Tuesday 29 November 2022 I was privileged to be invited ... 'We would be delighted to welcome you as a particularly important supporter of us' ... to a small reception at the Learning Without Borders School in the presence of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. I gladly accepted the invitation on behalf of all of us who have been so instrumental in establishing this wonderful facility in Budapest; Pictured below - (left to right) Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York; András Siewert, President Migration Aid, Hungary; Mr Nikolay.

'It is a great honour to be here and to see the Hungarians reaching out to the refugee children. These children need hope. I myself am leaving here with hope, believing that unity is possible. It is wonderful what the helpers and supporters have done here. My message to the Ukrainians here is the following: I know you want to go home and rebuild your country. For my part, I will do everything I can to make this possible. So, if you see my red hair, you know I'm here with you and I'm here to help. I want to help build Montessori schools in Ukraine because education is a priority for me. I want to support friendship and cooperation.' said the Duchess.

The school continues today providing sanctuary and education for some of the children still displaced by the war.

AND, AS PROMISED, SOME MEMORIES AND HIGHLIGHTS ... ... ...

SUNDAY 15 CTOBER 2023

Today, I met with Christina Katrakis and her husband, Roman Kudlay. Christina is

Ambassador for the Foundation for United Nations SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) in

charge of the Humanitarian Aid Base FFUNSDG-HELP.UA in Vorokhta, Ukraine; Roman is

International Crisis Coordinator for the Foundation. Our goal is to work together,

developing projects that directly aid some of those most in need. Pictured below - Christina Katrakis, Mr Nikolay, Mark (Christina & Roman's son):

UPDATE 16 OCTOBER 2023

We have secured twenty-four visas to bring people to the Solihull / North Warwickshire region under the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme. More recently, we have helped nineteen Ukrainians secure their own accommodation in Solihull.

SUNDAY 2 JULY 2023 - 07:30 hrs

UZZHOROD CEMETERY, ZAKARPATTIA, UKRAINE

71 fallen heroes

Every one a Son, a Brother, a Husband, a Father

WHY

We Will Remember Them

DECEMBER 2022

My friend, Elaine Charles produced a calendar of twelve of her beautiful paintings; Elaine wrote: 'Well guys we absolutely smashed it. Thank you so very much for all your contributions, likes, shares etc.. I had 500 calendars made up at £10 each and hoped and prayed we would hit £5000 to help the women and children of Ukraine but with your kindness and support we have managed to achieve £5765 !! as people have also gifted. My last 2 calendars went today. I have transferred the cash to Nick Wormald and now he will continue to do his brave work in Ukraine. He will keep me updated with projects and photos. He is a truly amazing man who has got off his backside and made a difference.

OCTOBER 2022

In October 2022, I attempted my biggest, boldest and most bizarre challenge; those privy to my plans said the most stupid !!! I set out to walk 1,000,000 steps during the month to raise a further 1,000,000 Ukrainian Hryvnia (approximately £25,000) to help some of those whose lives have been shattered.

In the event, I walked 1,034,368 steps; that equated to an average of 33,367 steps per day; approximately 15 miles daily; the equivalent of a half marathon each day of the month. Some days I walked more (the most was 60,590 steps); some days, I walked less. My itinerary took me to Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia and, to our own green and pleasant land.

UZHHOROD HOSPITAL VISIT - WEDNESDAY 4 MAY 2022

I wrote this immediately I returned to the car after visiting some of the sick and some of the soldiers in Uzhhorod Hospital; I have edited it a little (xxx); if you would like to know why, please send a message via the 'CONTACT' button below:

... o-h m-y G-o-d

... I thought I'd see it all; until today

... it is just beyond words; the doctors in the hospital xxx to patch up the broken bodies

... you talk to the mentally scarred who look at you but don't see you

... you fear walking around the next corner

... ... ... the first bomb dropped in this region yesterday at Volovets ... ... ...

Pictured below - Uzhhorod Hospital:

SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2022

Today, I walked 110 laps of Knowle Park to raise further funds for Ukraine. Starting at 00:02 hrs on the morning of Sunday 17 April 2022, I walked for 17 hours 5 minutes 48 seconds covering 101.98 kms, walking 118,104 steps (verified by Strava and Step Tracker). A long-held 'bucket list' challenge completed to walk 100 kms in one day... followed by an excellent pint in The Red Lion, Knowle !!! Thank you to everyone who encouraged me and donated as I went on my way. Late in the day, it dawned on me that I take the early flight to Budapest in the morning ... ... ...

LETTER FROM UZHHOROD, UKRAINE - MONDAY 4 APRIL 2022

On Monday 4 April 2022, I went into Ukraine for the first time; I wrote the below in The Priests' House in Uzhhorod, Ukraine before retiring to bed:

This evening is the most extraordinary night I have ever lived; world without end. After delivering food and emergency provisions in Uzhhorod in Ukraine, we had dinner in The Priests' House; Peter the Priest then took us for a walk around this absolutely beautiful city; we came home, he gave us a bottle of home-made Ukrainian wine.

Gyuri (Peter's twin brother) and I opened it and, as we began to drink, the air raid sirens started to scream; the missiles soared overhead; a black Tanzanian lady came from her room; a refugee lady who has nothing but insisted we ate her cakes.

A dichotomy of complete confusion.

When silence returned, Peter the Priest said, come, I will say English mass in the small chapel. I went with Gyuri; the small chapel has four seats; Peter began 'Blessed Brother, Blessed Nick'.

As Peter took the wine at the end of mass, the air raid sirens exploded again; 'Nick, this mass is for you and the people in your community who have given for our community'.

Tonight is a night that will remain with me forever.

LETTER FROM BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2022

I wrote the below during the evening of Sunday 3 April 2022 before our first food and aid run into Ukraine the following day:

I begin by wiping the tear that’s just fallen to the page; one of a thousand this week. 

On Monday, I arrived in Budapest to see with my own eyes, hoping to help. By 9:30 hrs on Tuesday morning my illusions were shattered. The pictures you see on the TV are shocking enough; when you sit here in Budapest and ask a Ukrainian family to tell their story over a coffee, it completely tears you (and them) apart. Never, could I have properly prepared for what lay ahead.

The Hungarian authorities have created a vast transit camp (‘BOK’, next to the Puskás Aréna) that offers everything. Trains now stop at Kőbánya to the north of Budapest with refugees encouraged to pass through the transit camp; many do but, many still go directly to Keleti International Railway Station (often for onward travel to a more distant destination). Picture below - BOK Transit Camp

But, the law in some onward countries is such that passengers must have a seat reservation (3 Euros); the vast majority of refugees have no money. 

Estimates say over four million people have already fled Ukraine; nearly 500,000 to Hungary. But, that only tells a small part of the story. My Ukrainian connections tell me possibly as many as NINE MILLION more have fled to the west of Ukraine away from the likes of Mariupol, Kharkiv and Donbas; they hope to remain in their homeland; but, should Putin move west, another unthinkable human catastrophe awaits to unfold.

On Thursday, we found Liza and Léna, two completely traumatised Ukrainian women, one with a young son, Maxim, plus SEVENTEEN animals (they had an animal sanctuary); they had not a single penny. The husband of one of the ladies (the father of the son) had been shot dead defending Kyiv; what can you do, what can you say. The ‘system’ doesn’t provide for such situations; the group wanted to head to Montenegro for sanctuary; together, we hired a minibus and driver and sent them on their way.

And, so to Silviia; I found 'our' first Ukrainian refugee family; Mum and Dad and 4-year-old son. Their UK visas were granted on the Tuesday; I bought their plane tickets on the Wednesday; (they came 'home' to Solihull with me on Friday 8 April 2022) to begin a new life with their wonderful host family in Knowle. Maybe please reflect for a few moments. Packed in one hour, they fled to the border; their life possessions in one suitcase; their entire life savings in their pockets. They left their dog, they said goodbye (yes, it could be goodbye) to their parents and their friends. Picture below - Eniko (Migration Aid, Hungary), Silviia, Serhii and Little Serhii, Budapest Airport.

CONCLUSION

If you have arrived at this point, thank you for reading. I wanted to keep this to one page; I couldn’t; it could have been 1,001 pages; I can assure you I could easily have made the read even more heart-wrenching; really, .

You have my unequivocal assurance that not one penny of your money has been, nor will be wasted nor spent on 'central overheads'; every penny has been spent as if it were my own. Never did I think I would see sights like I have; at times, I have felt completely traumatised and utterly helpless; my mind will never be free of the images I have seen; God alone knows how the fleeing millions must feel. Everywhere, the pain and the anguish is beyond words. 

The situation is absolutely scandalous; in eighteen months in Hungary and in Ukraine I've truly not seen one banner, not one logo, not one word, not one stand representing any one of the ‘UK’ aid agencies; nor one single English speaking (ie from the United Kingdom) aid worker. Where are the countless millions of pounds that have been raised in the United Kingdom ??? For sure, the agencies must be somewhere, but Lord knows where they are. 

Of course, the money we have together raised not even scratches the surface; but we are here, and we are active on the ground. Some of the projects we have supported are:

In the early day, buying train and bus tickets and supporting translators

In the early days, providing toilets and hot water at Keleti International Railway Station

Every day, funding Edit to provide sandwiches, food and water at Keleti

Every day, paying 250 forints (60p) per refugee for them to use the toilets at Keleti

We have part funded and help established the ‘Baby Mama’ facility in ‘The BOK’ 

Food and aid runs to ‘Charitable Foundation Saint George Caritas’ in Uzhhorod, Ukraine

We funded the 'Learning Without Borders' school in Budapest until June 2022

Sourcing UK Sponsor Hosts and applying for UK visas

Lord of all the earth, be present with the people of Ukraine

at this time of danger, fear and conflict.

Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail and

give to all suffering nations the freedom they desire and deserve.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(Worcester Cathedral - August 2022)

But, even so, amongst all this rubble, you stumble across rays of sunshine that illuminate the darkness; for sure, Ukraine will rise again.

What I’d really like to say best remain unspoken … … … one despot; 44 million lives.

Thank you for reading; best wishes, Nick (Mr. Nikolay)