Somerset 'still doing all it can' to help with relief effort
It seems calls by a Ukrainian woman - who now lives in Somerset - are being heard by the Government.
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
A Ukrainian woman - who now lives in Somerset - is urging the Government to speed up plans to allow more refugees from the conflict here on a temporary basis.
Hits Radio has learnt the Prime Minister will announce within days a so-called 'humanitarian visa' - on top of the current temporary family visa.
Olga says she it would allow her to house families with no English, who would struggle here otherwise.
She said: "It's about reassurance tp just say you have shelter, you have food and it's only on a temporary basis.
"You can go back to your school and hopefully will be able to start all over again."
It comes as a new Ukrainian aid centre has been set up at Bridgwater Town Hall, to help with the relief effort
Mario Gogolin set up the appeal, after hearing stories from friends still living on the Polish border with Ukraine about the refugees they’re seeing.
He said: "They say hundreds of thousands are moving from the Ukraine for Poland and their needs is huge.
"Quite often the people are, especially women and the children. coming with just the clothes on their backs- they will have nothing."
Councillor Brian Smedley, leader of Bridgwater Town Council, said: "Bridgwater always comes together and does this kind of thing so we're particularly proud of Bridgwater - there's no shortage of donations.
"It's knowing what the best things to take over at the moment are.
"Definite demand for things like sleeping bags, batteries, torches, medical stuff and specific types of clothing."