We’re safe! The poignant call from Ukrainian mother and her baby as they find safety in Romania… to the father they have to leave behind
- Baby Hanna and her mother Miroslava have fled Ukraine to the safety of Romania
- The pair were greeted at the Siret border crossing by aid workers from Unicef
- Unicef is one of the aid organisations being supported by the Mail Force charity
- The Mail Force charity appeal has raised more than £8.3millon for Ukrainians
Smiling as she spots her father’s face on the phone screen, baby Hanna reaches out and tries to touch him.
The seven-month-old and her mother Miroslava have fled Ukraine to escape Vladimir Putin’s bombs, but Dad has had to stay behind to defend their homeland.
Hanna is too young to understand her family’s plight but at least she and Miroslava are now safe – thanks to Daily Mail readers.
They are now in Romania, along with Miroslava’s elder daughter Milena, nine.
Hanna smiles and tries to touch her father’s face on her mother Miroslava’s phone screen after the pair fled Ukraine to the safety of Romania
Refugees from Ukraine queue as they wait for further transport at the Medyka border crossing
They were greeted at the Siret border crossing by aid workers from Unicef, one of the aid organisations being supported by the Mail Force charity.
In the shelter of a Unicef ‘Blue Dot’ reception centre, Miroslava made the bittersweet phone call to her husband, who had been forced to kiss them goodbye under Ukraine’s rules banning men of fighting age from leaving with their families.
She told him: ‘Don’t worry, we’re fine, we’re in the warmth, don’t worry about us. They give us everything we need here.’
Joe English, of Unicef, said millions had fled the war, and dozens of children had been killed an injured.
He added: ‘Behind each and every one of these numbers is a family torn apart, a young life snatched away.
Cleanup continues at Retroville Shopping Mall in Kyiv today after it was destroyed by a Russian airstrike yesterday. At least eight people were killed initially and another person is dead after a second strike today
‘But there are also numbers that give me hope, such as the incredible £500,000 raised for Unicef through the Mail Force appeal. I’ve seen the difference it makes, so thank you to Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday readers, from all of us at Unicef Ukraine.’
The Mail Force charity appeal has raised more than £8.3millon. It was kickstarted a month ago with a £500,000 gift from the Mail’s parent company DMGT, at the personal request of Lord and Lady Rothermere, and since then cheques and online donations have flooded in.
Sue Taylor donated £100 to the appeal in memory of her Ukrainian uncle, who fled to Britain during World War Two, settling here and becoming a gardener.
She said: ‘My uncle was forced from his homeland, leaving his parents and sister behind. After a long journey across Europe he married my aunt in Britain. I would like to say what a wonderful achievement your appeal is.’
The Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline UKRAINE REFUGEE APPEAL
Readers of Mail Newspapers and MailOnline have always shown immense generosity at times of crisis.
Calling upon that human spirit, we are now launching an appeal to raise money for refugees from Ukraine.
For, surely, no one can fail to be moved by the heartbreaking images and stories of families – mostly women, children, the infirm and elderly – fleeing from Russia’s invading armed forces.
As this tally of misery increases over the coming days and months, these innocent victims of a tyrant will require accommodation, schools and medical support.
All donations to the Mail Ukraine Appeal will be distributed to charities and aid organisations providing such essential services.
In the name of charity and compassion, we urge all our readers to give swiftly and generously.
TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE
Donate at www.mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate
To add Gift Aid to a donation – even one already made – complete an online form found here: mymail.co.uk/ukraine
Via bank transfer, please use these details:
Account name: Mail Force Charity
Account number: 48867365
Sort code: 60-00-01
TO MAKE A DONATION VIA CHEQUE
Make your cheque payable to ‘Mail Force’ and post it to: Mail Newspapers Ukraine Appeal, GFM, 42 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY
TO MAKE A DONATION FROM THE US
US readers can donate to the appeal via a bank transfer to Associated Newspapers or by sending checks to dailymail.com HQ at 51 Astor Place (9th floor), New York, NY 10003
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