Ongoing efforts to bring more Ukrainian refugees to Yorkshire Coast
Today is Ukraine's Independence Day but also marks six months since the Russian invasion
Efforts are on-going to try and bring more Ukrainian refugees to the Yorkshire Coast.
Today is the country's Independence Day but it also marks six months since Russia started their invasion over there.
Iain Butterworth has taken in two families from Ukraine and is helping to co-ordinate efforts to look after the refugees.
He said: "We recognise that there wasn't really a facility for language schools and language lessons so with some funding from North Yorkshire County Council and other private entities, we have set up a language school that caters 20 to 25 individuals per week who come along and sit in on the lessons.
"We have arranged social outings and more recently we went to Goathland to see Bobby the Pig. It was his 12th birthday, a pot-bellied pig, and we had a great time in Goathland. We saw some dancing and we're looking at other social events like a trip out to the harbour on the lifeboat and maybe Castle Howard.
"We're also looking at in the future setting up some sort of Ukrainian cafe where guests, sponsors and supporters can meet. Generally speaking it's all been going really well. We have a really close community and the most important thing is guests and their families come across and they don't feel isolated, they know there are other Ukrainian people living in the area.
"It's a big change for them having to leave their hometowns and cities in such terrible circumstances. In the whole I think Scarborough and the Yorkshire Coast is an amazing place to live, so I think they're enjoying making the most of what they can. We've had some fantastic weather which has made it all the better and they've been enjoying the beaches and local tourist spots.
"We are still seeing guests coming across from Ukraine on a daily basis. Let's not forget that hundreds, thousands and millions of Ukrainians have been displaced in neighbouring countries, and we continue to support those who are trying to get across to the UK and those who are here."
Visit Scarborough Sunflower Appeal on Facebook to find out more about what is happening in the town and the support for Ukrainian refugees.