Ukrainian child settles into Red Hill Primary School after fleeing war

Anastasiia Zapotochna, age six, has begun to settle into Red Hill C of E Primary School in Midhurst Close after escaping wartorn Kyiv.

Her mother Anna Danysch says her daughter has really enjoyed starting at an English school and it has helped take the child's mind off the Russian occupation of Ukraine.

Mrs Danysch said: "The school, all the staff and teachers are very polite and we are very thankful for their kind attention.

"Despite not knowing any English, she has settled in well and has been made to feel really comfortable.

"She looks forward to going to school every day which is amazing, it has been hard for her to understand the war so it is so amazing to see her occupied and enjoying school."

Mrs Danysch, of Kyiv, is living with her mother, Alla Danysh, and Anastasiia, with a host family in Worcester.

David and Alison Fraser, of Battenhall Road, have been hosting the family since they arrived in the UK on Saturday, April 23.

Anna said: "David and Alison are the most considerate, patient and understanding people and we are so grateful for them helping us.

Before February 24, my family, my friends and I had a very happy and peaceful life that seemed stable and full of hope for the future.

"The most powerful feeling when this all started was that our reality had changed and it it will never come back again."

When the war first began, Anna and Anastasiia were able to leave Kyiv and make it safely to Poland, and Alla was visiting friends in Malaga.

Anna Danysh (Left) and Alla Danysh (right).

Mrs Danysch: "We spent almost two weeks in Ukraine after the war started. The first week we sat in our basement in Kyiv and only used the house for showers or the bathroom.

"After the first week we went to Western Ukraine and spent another week there hoping the situation would die down but nothing changed so we managed to make it to Poznań in Poland where we started to apply for the visa.

"I was then able to get to Malaga after a week in Poland with Anastasiia to see my mother."

One of Mr Fraser's former colleagues, from when he worked in Poland, put Anna in contact with the couple and they met in Malaga before coming to the UK.

Mrs Danysch and her family waited for a month for their visa and flew to Glasgow before taking several trains, buses and taxis to get to Worcester.

Alison and David Fraser.

Mrs Fraser has been keen to ensure the family have been feeling welcome and safe in Worcester and shared that it has been hard seeing what they have been going through.

She said: "I could burst into tears at the drop of a hat, I am a grandparent, as is Alla, it is hard watching what they are going through.

"We just want them to be safe, we have loved having them here. If anyone can step forward and help, please do it is so important.

If you can help a Ukrainian family, email ukraine2wr@gmail.com.