A new arrival has provided a ray of sunshine to one Ukraine family who now call Teesside home.
A new arrival has provided a ray of sunshine to one family fleeing the horror of war in Ukraine.
Baby Nazar was born to mum Iryna and dad Artem at midday on Thursday (August 18), almost exactly six months after the Russian invasion in February.
The couple fled their home in the war-ravaged Donetsk region in the east of the country at the end of July with six-year-old daughter Milana.
Iryna, 36, was already seven months pregnant when they embarked on the perilous 1,500-mile journey to the North East, while 40-year-old Artem was in need of emergency treatment for a medical condition.
Arriving in Middlesbrough the family were sponsored by Neville Kelvey-Brown of Jubilee Church.
Iryna said: “I am so grateful to God that my family is safe now.
“I can’t even describe the help and care we have received from Neville and his church on a daily basis.
“From the moment when Neville picked us up from the airport, to dealing with my daughter’s school, finding a GP and midwife and a hundred other tasks, he has always been there for us.
“It was especially kind of Jubilee Church to organise a baby shower for us as we literally had nothing for our baby, and we’re so grateful to every member of the church for donating all the essential things that our son will need.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to the UK Government for helping Ukrainian people in this unprecedented circumstances of sorrow, God bless you all.”
Neville explained that links between Jubilee Church and several churches in Ukraine helped to match potential refugees with new homes on Teesside.
He said: “I saw the refugees leaving Ukraine, and I just thought ‘I can do something to help here’.
“I developed a good relationship by text with Artem and Iryna over the six week-period when they were trying to get from the Donbas to the UK.
“They’ve come from a place that was very scary, where their town has been taken over by Russians.
“They’re a lovely couple who share things with me around the house, and I’m just happy to be able to help.
“They’re going to be with me for six months to a year – at the moment they don’t know what the future holds, but with a young family they just want to be somewhere safe.”
Baby Nazar is the first Ukrainian child to be born in Middlesbrough to parents fleeing the war, while the town has so far offered new homes to more than 30 families and individuals following the invasion.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “From the very moment Russia sent its tanks into Ukraine, we pledged to do everything in our power to support those affected by this act of unprovoked aggression.
“We’ve been delighted to welcome individuals and families into our homes and communities, and it’s amazing that one of those families should welcome a new member here in Middlesbrough.
“A huge Boro welcome to baby Nazar, and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.”