Brighton man's fundraiser to keep family from returning to Ukraine

Valeria Galich, 28, fled her home in Dnipro when the war broke out in March this year. 

She and her two children, Kira, five, and Nikita, one, were taken in by a host in Poland.

Due to a lack of funding from the Polish government to those hosting refugees, they can no longer afford to have Valeria and the children in their home.

(L to R) Valeria, Kira and Nikita

Now, Valeria is being forced to return back to her war torn homeland on August 15 if she cannot secure a new place to live in Poland. 

Paul Griffith, 41, from Brighton, has launched a GoFundMe page to help Valeria and her family. 

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Paul’s girlfriend Olga Kavryshvili grew up next to Valeria in Dnipro and they have been friends for more than 20 years. 

Valeria and Kira

Olga was also forced to flee the country when the war broke out, she now has residency in the UK and is living in Brighton with Paul.

Paul and Olga

Paul said: “Valeria has made the heartbreaking decision to return to Dnipro, east Ukraine, as she sees no other option. 

“This is too dangerous and is potentially life threatening due to continuing bombardments from missiles.”

Valeria and Nikita

Paul told The Argus that when Olga told him that the family were returning to the war zone, he felt that he needed to do something to help.

He said: “Olga was explaining how Valeria had no money and I couldn’t bear the thought of them going back into a war zone especially with such small children.

“I am fundraising on GoFundMe to provide them with enough for accommodation so they don’t need to return home until it is safe for them to do so.”

On the fundraising page he wrote: “Please help with anything you can so Leria and her small children can stay in Poland.

“Please help with anything you can. Thank you.”

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

To donate to Paul’s fundraiser please visit: https://gofund.me/a9c69f30