When Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, Katya Voichenko was among hundreds of thousands who fled their homes to escape war. The Ukrainian traveled with her two daughters, ended up in Scotland and stayed with Danny Ralph in the small seaside town of Burghead.
For Voichenko, like for so many others, it was a step into the unknown. “We didn’t know what it was going to be like. It was terrifying,” she told the BBC. She lived on the island for nine months and got along better and better – but then homesickness took over. Voichenko’s husband and her son had to stay in Ukraine because exit was not allowed for men between the ages of 18 and 60. So the Ukrainian decided to return to her homeland.
She missed her husband and son too much, the daughters missed their father and brother. “It’s very difficult for mothers who had a complete family in Ukraine before the war and now have to raise the children without a father who stayed in Ukraine,” she told the BBC. “It’s an important reason why some are returning home.” So did Voichenko – although she felt very comfortable in Scotland and especially with her host.
But Danny Ralph not only proved to be hospitable to the war refugees, but also a real friend in this situation. The Scot did everything to enable Katya Voichenko and her daughters to return to their home country. He took the journey into his own hands: he bought a van and drove Voichenko and her daughters back to Ukraine. He even took a detour via Luxembourg so Voichenko could meet her sister, who had fled to the Benelux countries. Neither had seen each other since the outbreak of war.
The road trip over 4,000 kilometers lasted a total of five days. Ralph also had clothing and medicines for the local population on board. On the way back he took ten refugees to Scotland to bring them to safety from Russian attacks. A lot of effort, but ultimately a matter of course for Ralph, as he told the BBC: “You do these things for friends and they are our friends.”
What: BBC
