Merseyside volunteer says criminal gangs exploiting Ukrainian mums with promises of safety
Paul Stratton makes his third trip out to Poland this week to help the many families still stuck across the border waiting for visas
Last updated 10th May 2022
A Merseyside man volunteering at the Polish border says he's seen Ukrainian families being exploited there by criminal gangs on a daily basis.
This week Paul Stratton's making his third trip out to help those still stuck at the border waiting for visas to be processed.
He's been telling us how he's seen criminal gangs exploiting young mums with promises of safety
He says more needs to be done :
"They're trying to steal familes. They get a photo of them in Lviv, travelling on the bus. That would then be passed to a driver at the Poland border, who would then say, 'Don't worry, this is from a friend, you'll be alright with me.'
"These poor people are coming though, not knowing where they are going. They might not have a house anymore, nowehere to go to. They are vulnerable in the truest sense of the word. It's utterly horrific.
"There's nothing going to stop these women getting across the border, there's nothing going to stop them getting their kids to safety but we've got to help out a little bit and make sure these criminals can't get near them and while we're there they won't.
"You just want to get them to safety, that's what drives you".
Paul is working with a number of charities and organisations to bring supplies to the women and children displaced by the Russian invasion. If you'd like to help then you can find more details here : https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/helping-ukrainians-in-polish-humanitarian-centres
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