Dear friends,

A few months ago it would have seemed inconceivable that I would be reaching out to my friends to ask for money to support people in Ukraine who have lost everything in the war. This is an unreal situation. What is happening in Ukraine is a nightmare that is so evil and so unwarranted that I feel everything in between sadness, outrage and anger.

I was born and lived in Kharkiv in Eastern Ukraine until moving to Sydney aged 16 - I’m sure most of you had never heard of Kharkiv until the Russian forces started bombing it.

I have family and close friends in Kharkiv living out of bomb shelters or basements. Everything is a target - schools, kindergartens, hospitals, residential buildings, shops… and so many families have lost everything. Supplies are running short and it’s very, very cold. People need food, medical supplies, clothes and everyday items.

Every cent collected will go to a volunteer-run network in Kharkiv that supports those most vulnerable that were unable to escape or unwilling to leave. These volunteers are ordinary people who chose to stay and help others. My step-father is one of them. He is picking up tasks like delivering items to bomb shelters or driving people to transport hubs where they can start their journey to safety. A hot meal, a first aid kit, or a pack of nappies will mean that someone’s life in my hometown will be a little bit better in the midst of the world crashing around them.

Thank you for your support x

These are pictures of the several spots in Kharkiv. Some are residential buildings and some administrative. I have personally been to these places before the invasion and find it extremely difficult to believe what is happening to Ukraine, my home town and its people.