Translators from Cornwall spend two weeks at border helping Ukrainian refugees
They told us they hope to continue to offer support to evacuees on their return to the UK
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
Two translators from Cornwall have been spending the past few weeks on the border to help to offer support to Ukrainians fleeing to Poland.
Charlotte Hobson and Gavin Knight, from near Truro, are both Russian-speaking translators.
They travelled to the border where they arrived on 9th March to help translate for Ukrainian refugees and will be returning to England this week.
Gavin, who has previously lived in Ukraine for two years, said: "We drove across Europe, we headed straight to the border and we started translating. There were just hundreds and hundreds of mums with babies and children and grandmothers and pets coming across, just very distraught.
"Many are shell-shocked from all the bombing. They've had terrible journeys across Ukraine to get to the border".
Charlotte Hobson added: "They burst in to tears, they really want to tell you what they've been through.
"We sit down and chat to them and they cry. We all cry all the time. I mean, how could you not".
"Lots of the people we've met, I try not to call them or use the word refugees very often. Because lots of them don't want use that. There's a feeling, you don't want to treat people as helpless".
The translators told us they first offer Polish sim cards, food and shelter to those who've reached the border, many of which are women and children.
Gavin added: "They're resilient. It's amazing, you see some of them are claiming they are laughing about how much is there that someone is giving them hot soup, others are congratulating us shaking hands, slapping us on the back, really enthusiastic".
"There's incredible strength there amongst all of these women".
Charlotte continued: "There is another aspect it's a bit of a relief, to actually be here and help people directly".
Along their journey, Charlotte and Gavin have offered updates on their experiences on the border including the atmosphere and the people they've met and helped along the way.
A part of one of Charlotte's recent Facebook posts reads:
"Day 7. Twelve hours at the border yesterday, and then I come home and write these pieces as though my life depends on it. I can’t sleep until I’ve got some of it down....
"...Every day I get messages from friends and family who want to take Ukrainians into their homes."
It comes as the Government announced the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme, allowing people across the UK to offer up spare rooms to Ukrainians evacuating their country.
Charlotte told us: "People getting their heads round moving so far way to the other sides of Europe. It's going to take a bit of time to sink in".
Along with helping with translation, since they've been on the Ukrainian border, Charlotte and Gavin have found themselves helping with transportation and food supplies and doing anything they can to help.
She continued: "We raised a lot more money than we've got lots to spend and lots of needs came up when we hit the ground. We've offered money to help other translators come out.
"We got in touch with a man who is a chef at a restaurant in Zamach, where we're staying, and he's cooking food, up to 700 meals a day, so he has turned over his whole restaurant kitchen. They've got thousand of refugees staying in this small town. We're just helping to offer money for food".
Their journey, funded by generous donations through their Go Fund Me page has helped them to offer supplies, food and support to all of the refugees they've helped in their stay.
The pair have told us they're hoping to stay in contact with those they've met who will remain on the border.
Their aim is to continue to translate and offer support for Ukrainians finding homes to stay in the UK on their return to Cornwall.