"I find her an inspiration!"
Tanya MacLeod welcomed Olga Gornostal into her home in Birkdale one year ago after she fled war-torn Ukraine
A woman who welcomed a Ukrainian mother fleeing the war into her home in Merseyside says they're now friends for life.
Olga Gornostal and her two children first met Tanya MacLeod at the airport after they left Odessa.
They still live together a year later in Birkdale.
Tanya said:
"It hasn't been a one-way street - Olga has really helped me as well.
"I find her an inspiration. She's a very strong woman, very determined very smart.
"Olga, you're very energetic. I was being quite lazy sitting on the couch every evening, you inspired me - I did couch to 5k and now I run 5k about three or four times a week.
"You've really brought a lot to my life and your family has brought a lot of joy and laughter and happiness to what was a fairly quiet household of 50-somethings!
"I feel like I have a Ukrainian sister now and Ukrainian family - we'll be friends for life and close for life.
"Olga has invited me to Odessa when all of this is over so we, my husband and I, will definitely go and stay with Olga in her flat and you'll show me around Odessa and from everything you've told me about it, it's a beautiful place right by the sea, lovely beaches, lovely people, amazing architecture.
" I just hope that day will come soon and we can all be together in Odessa."