Thousands raised for Ukrainian refugee after her family died in a crash near Ripon

Three people were killed in the collision on Sunday

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 6th Sep 2023

People in Ripon say their hearts are broken - as they pull together to raise money for a Ukrainian refugee whose family were killed in a car crash.

35 year old Daria Bartienieva - her 6 year old son Ihor and 15 year old step daughter Anatasiia died after the collision involving a double decker bus on Sunday.

They family leave behind a fourth family member who is just 15.

Sara Hirst has helped set up a fundraiser for the teenager: "She's over here from Ukraine, she came for peace and she's lost everything, you'd be wrong for it not to pull at your heart and she needs all the support she can get at the minute."

"The people of Ripon have just pulled together it's been absolutely amazing, we're just totally overwhelmed by it and I know she is feeling very alone at the moment and just feels very overwhelmed with it all really."

Sara says three days on and the community is still in shock: "One of the little ones is at the same school as our daughter that passed away so it touches your hearts when it's someone so young."

A book of condolence has opened at Holy Trinity Church Ripon, where tributes have been left, including from the UK family who sponsored them as refugees.

The Church will be open from 14:30 - 16:00 every day until Friday for people to go and get support or light a candle and reflect.

You can donate to the fundraising page here

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