W.Bro. Colin Kendrick and his Ukrainian Friends
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After many weeks of waiting, a Ukrainian family of 3 flew into Luton Airport to be greeted by their sponsoring family. After a wait for news about their visas, Natalya and her 2 children, Karyba, 15, and 8-month-old Emilia learned that they had been granted and that their temporary residence in Moldova, would be replaced with a family in England.
W.Bro. Colin Kendrick of St. Nicholas Mark Lodge No.413, had been contacted by his friend, Vova, as the war in Ukraine started and asked him to take his family to safety. |
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The family had been sheltering in their basement amid the dangers of the invasion and plans were made to receive the family in England. Many weeks later, the flight into Luton would see the family safe.
On the evening that the phone call was made, the family started a journey to take them out of Mykolaiv. Outside the city, transportation by Bus had been arranged for the now displaced residents to take the women and children to safety. On arrival, there were two buses left both going to Moldova. The family squeezed onto one of the reaming buses and said their farewells to Vova, who was to remain in Ukraine.
The journey to Moldova was a long one and on arrival, they and many other families were placed into temporary accommodation whilst further travel plans were made. On 18 March, their Visa applications were made out and the wait began.
During this time the Mark men of Essex have been supporting W.Bro. Kendrick with raising money for the family. At a Cluster Mark meeting, held under the banner of the Aurelius Mark Lodge No. 814, at Clacton, the Brethren donated their evening Raffle collection, Natalya, with their best wishes.
At the 150th Anniversary of the Constantine Mark Lodge No. 145, held on 22 April 2022, the Essex 2030 MBF Festival mascot, ‘Rory’ the Lion was donated so that Emilia would have a new soft toy on her arrival.
On the evening that the phone call was made, the family started a journey to take them out of Mykolaiv. Outside the city, transportation by Bus had been arranged for the now displaced residents to take the women and children to safety. On arrival, there were two buses left both going to Moldova. The family squeezed onto one of the reaming buses and said their farewells to Vova, who was to remain in Ukraine.
The journey to Moldova was a long one and on arrival, they and many other families were placed into temporary accommodation whilst further travel plans were made. On 18 March, their Visa applications were made out and the wait began.
During this time the Mark men of Essex have been supporting W.Bro. Kendrick with raising money for the family. At a Cluster Mark meeting, held under the banner of the Aurelius Mark Lodge No. 814, at Clacton, the Brethren donated their evening Raffle collection, Natalya, with their best wishes.
At the 150th Anniversary of the Constantine Mark Lodge No. 145, held on 22 April 2022, the Essex 2030 MBF Festival mascot, ‘Rory’ the Lion was donated so that Emilia would have a new soft toy on her arrival.
On 2 May, the family landed at Luton and were met at the Arrivals gate. It had been 8 weeks since the phone call and all the efforts to get them into England had finally paid off. A group of Mark men attended to assist the family and Rory the Lion was given to little Emilia, which she sleeps with every night.
After a week since their arrival, the family has settled in well and has made the most of Harwich, especially the beaches and the sea air. They are safe and await news of Vova.
Thanks go to the Mark Brethren of the North of Essex and the Essex Mark Province for the support they have given and continue to give. The family is safe and they look forward to the end of the war and the opportunity to return so that they might begin to rebuild their country.
After a week since their arrival, the family has settled in well and has made the most of Harwich, especially the beaches and the sea air. They are safe and await news of Vova.
Thanks go to the Mark Brethren of the North of Essex and the Essex Mark Province for the support they have given and continue to give. The family is safe and they look forward to the end of the war and the opportunity to return so that they might begin to rebuild their country.
Posted 15 May 22
