Documentary made in memory of Cornish aid worker killed in Ukraine
'Hell Jumper' includes 'moving' footage taken by Chris Parry as he evacuated people from their homes to help them flee from war
Last updated 9th Jul 2024
A documentary has been made in tribute of aid worker from Cornwall, Chris Parry, who went to Ukraine to help people fleeing war.
A private screening has been held for 'Hell Jumper', which tells the story of Cornish aid worker Chris Parry, through the eyes of him and other aid workers from around the world.
The film shows moving Go-Pro bodycam footage from the group of volunteers as they evacuated people from their homes. It hopes to show the power of young people, social media, bravery and a drive to help out people in need.
The first premiere for Parry's family and friends has taken place at Truro Plaza Cinema and a press screening will be hosted in London today (Tuesday 9 July).
Producer Adriana Timco, from Moldova with links to Ukraine, said the war started she was "devastated."
"I felt powerless"
She told us: "I was getting all these messages from my friends, they were really uncertain of their future, some had to flee. I felt powerless. I wanted to speak to people on the ground and wanted to be closer to people there.
"I heard about these evacuators and I found out that young people were getting into old cars, driving into the most dangerous cities and they were getting anybody they could find out. There was this movement of evacuators, many Ukrainians and some foreign volunteers who came and joined."
While Parry was in Ukraine, he worked as an evacuator helping more than 400 people flee their homes during the ongoing war. Adriana said she had spoken to Chris Parry as he was volunteering and he begun sending her footage from his missions.
Painting of Chris Parry, currently being exhibited at Truro Cathedral:
Adriana added: "He really wanted to do something for his family. He said he had to be a realist. If anything happened to 'him', to make this for 'his' family and to show the world why 'he was there.'"
"He just wanted to make a difference, he felt good about what he was doing and he wanted to show the world what he was seeing."
Paddy Wivell, documentary director, said: "With every person that I met, and every person who encountered Chris, I felt I got to know him a little bit more. In the end I threaded together all these different testimonies into a whole which I hope speaks eloquently into his life and what he achieved in Ukraine.
"Choosing to make a difference"
"I think a lot of us feel a little bit impotent in the face of big global forces, that we can't make a difference. Here we see Chris and other volunteers choosing to make a difference. That in itself is something that is remarkably hopeful."