Hi my name is Brendan Murphy and I fled Irpin, near Kyiv to Ireland, taking my 80 year old mother-in-law, my wife Marina, her daughter, Kristina and 3 year old Olivia on a cross-country drive, with a cat, Tosha, and a dog, Lisa. All in a Skoda Fabia 1.2!

 

My book chronicles life before the war, romance, adventure, travels around Ukraine, pandemic and, of course, war, which started on the 24th February, with cruise missile strikes, warplanes, helicopter gunships and paratroopers falling from the sky.

 

An overland journey of escape, much of it under martial law and threat of death, made possible by a string of safe houses across Europe. The story continues with empathy and stark reality, as mental stresses pull at relationships and bring the real prospect of death.

 

It also tells the realities of Irpin under occupation from a resident, whose home was bombed, business destroyed and community members killed.

 

When you see leading world figures visit Irpin, they are 5 mins walk from my ruined home.

 

I have written a book that publishers describe as being 'of considerable merit' and they believe it will appeal to the reading public.

 

What they offer is a hybrid publishing contract, which means I have to financially contribute, which is why I am fundraising.

 

To be able to pay, not only the fee, but to afford travel expenses for face to face meetings etc, as I am now without work.