A woman who offered a home to a teenage Ukrainian refugee will be celebrating his 21st birthday with him.
Sue Johns from Ombersley first met Yurii when he was just 16 and had made the solo journey from Ukraine, fleeing the war in his home country.
She opened her home to Yurii under the Homes for Ukraine visa scheme, which was launched by the British government after Putin’s armies invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The scheme, while generous, expected Britons to find their own Ukrainians to sponsor which proved a stumbling block for most people.
However, having run Kingsway English Centre in Worcester for over 30 years, Mrs Johns had a wealth of international contacts, including hundreds of Ukrainians.
This allowed her to quickly set up an unofficial matching service, finding homes for 44 adults and 34 children in just the first few months of the war.
Yurii, who left his home city of Kyiv and was travelling alone through Europe, was one of the many people who needed help.
He stayed with Mrs Johns and her husband Rick for two-and-a-half years before going to university.
Now, he is back with the couple for the summer holidays and will soon be celebrating his 21st birthday – his fifth without his family and friends.
Mrs Johns has written a book about her experience helping Yurii and other refugees.
The book, titled “Leaving Ukraine,” shares the story from both Yurii’s perspective and her own, highlighting how their lives were forever changed by the experience.
It details Yurii’s journey and the efforts to secure him a visa.
Now back in Ombersley, Yurii is set to celebrate this milestone birthday with the woman who helped him start a new life.
“Leaving Ukraine” is available from Kingsway House, 40 Foregate Street, on Amazon, and at Ombersley Village Stores.