Watching Ukraine horror breaks my heart – but backing The Sun’s Red Cross appeal gives us a chance to make a difference
FOOTAGE of mothers shepherding their children away from the danger and violence unfolding in Ukraine – but into the unknown – has been just devastating to watch.
We have tried to imagine how we would cope if we had to pick up our families at a moment’s notice and run for our lives.
It has no doubt made us all hold our own children and loved ones closer.
I have felt so powerless about the situation.
Families with their whole lives packed up into the same suitcases that would likely have once accompanied them on their holidays.
Others, including young people from around the world who went there to study, now trapped in the grip of conflict.
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It’s heartbreaking to see innocent lives lost in a place they saw as safe and their home.
It all emphasises what we already know from conflicts — that anyone can become a refugee and everyone in this situation deserves our support.
Sun readers, deeply moved, have been so generous donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund in aid of the Red Cross.
All the money raised will help people affected by the conflict to get food, medicine, water, shelter or other urgent support.
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This horrifying situation is really hard to explain to my two daughters — especially while democracy, freedom, love and acceptance are in abundance in the UK and so much of the world.
The Red Cross has a brilliant resource on its website to help parents talk to their children about the conflict.
🔵 Read our Russia - Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
I’ve been speaking to mums, dads, sons and daughters about what is happening on the ground in Ukraine.
It’s vital we don’t turn away, but instead turn towards them to hear their stories.
One Ukrainian-born woman called Kateryna reached out to me on Instagram a week ago.
She and her son live in London but she visited Ukraine, on her own, for a two-week holiday to see friends.
She was enjoying cocktails in this beautiful country when the conflict broke out.
Kateryna was forced to move to a car park under a shopping centre, with other mothers and children.
Meanwhile, her 17-year-old son is back home waiting for her return to the UK.
She told me how the mothers and children have slept rough on bare floors.
They have formed a little community, supporting each other.
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They have tried to make life as normal as possible for the children, who have even been playing in shopping carts.
She told me that elsewhere, women have been taken to underground stations to give birth — like in London during World War Two.
She spoke movingly about how these shelters are full of mothers trying to protect their children.
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun's Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate to help The Sun's fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10
Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
For more information visit
Her story and many others will be included in a new podcast series, Ukraine’s Hidden Voices, which is now available.
As a long-time supporter of the British Red Cross, I know how well money will be used on the ground to give support.
For years I have tried to support and highlight the work this humanitarian network does in almost every country in the world. Its vast expertise in crisis situations is vital now.
As exhausted refugees cross into countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania, workers and volunteers from the Red Cross have been there to help, every hour of every day.
They are the first line of response, offering food, blankets, water and medical supplies.
People like ex-childcare worker Nastya Pohorelova, 27, who fled across the Slovenia border with two-year-old Sascha, where she was met by Red Cross workers.
They had fled Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, after cowering in a cellar while explosions rocked the city.
Nastya said: “We were so scared. I was desperate to get Sasha to safety.”
Her husband Evgeni, 27, an IT worker, had to remain in Ukraine, like all men aged 18 to 60, to fight.
There is no choice.
And there are children like terrified Arina, nine, who fled eastern Ukraine and was told by mum Anna she could choose just one cuddly toy to take for comfort.
The Red Cross are also helping the injured and wounded still trapped in Ukraine.
If you are in a position to help, please do anything you can.
Even the smallest donations make a difference.
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It is almost impossible to imagine how it must be to risk your life and that of your children to flee your country and leave family behind.
Let’s all try to wrap our arms around the people of Ukraine, to show them some light, love and hope.
