A Stamford ex-soldier on frontline in Ukraine the star of new documentary

'United to Win' pays tribute to the foreign volunteers helping Ukrainians in their hour of need

Jack Bon Holly (Left) with the film crew
Author: Ellis MaddisonPublished 25th Jun 2023

An ex-soldier from Stamford who put his life on hold to help out on the frontline in Ukraine, is starring in a new documentary.

Going by the pseudonym Jack Bon Holly, he's been rescuing troops and civilians as a medivac driver for the humanitarian aid group Project Konstantin.

'United to Win' captures the lives of three foreign heroes that've come to help Ukraine in its time of need.

Filmmaker Natalia Yakovleva fell in love with Stamford during her time there on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and it was there that she first heard of Jack.

Having returned to her home town of Gostomel, she made it her mission to track him down and make him the focus of her new documentary once he arrived in the country.

Natalia (Left) and Jack

'He was in shock (when I showed him Gostomel) because it's a very big contrast between our normal civilian life. Houses, cars, buildings all destroyed', Natalia said.

'I feel my country needs my help, my work. Jack isn't in this film alone. It will be three heroes. One of them is a Japanese man, who has a very interesting story.'

'Of course I hope to show this film in Gostomel and Stamford. I hope we will make a big screening. I'm working with Ukrainian TV and YouTube channels to get it out there.'

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