A Ukrainian man living in Worcester is looking for British families willing to give a home to Ukrainian refugees.

Alex Koval is matching Ukrainian families to British people willing to act as sponsors - but needs more to come forward.

The Government’s Home for Ukraine scheme opened on March 18 and requires Ukrainian visa applicants to have a named person in the UK willing to sponsor them.

This involves offering suitable accommodation to one or more Ukranian national for at least six months. Councils are being given funding to help refugees settle in the UK.

Alex has already helped to link eight Ukrainian families - a total of 12 adults and 12 children - with sponsors in Worcester, London and Lancaster and is in touch with dozens more people desparate to escape besieged cities in Ukraine including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and West Donbas.

“It’s a rewarding job but I do it because someone has to do it,” he said. “My family is working very hard back in Ukraine - they’re staying there and doing their best. I told my mother if I don’t do something myself, it’s a crime.”

'Every conversation could be our last'

Alex said it took one family he is helping five days to get out of Mariupol.

“My friend and his family spent three weeks in a basement with no supplies, no electricity,” he said.

“When they finally got out, there were seven of them in a van and an old man travelling with them died. They had to leave him at the side of the road.

“They went through Crimea, Russia and Belarus to get to Poland. Now they’ll be coming to Worcester - I’ve found them two houses near each other in St Johns.”

Alex said bridges and train stations had been bombed just minutes from where members of his family are living.

“They are not in a safe place any more,” he said. “My mum has a visa now but doesn’t want to leave.

“I spoke to her the other day and realised that every conversation we have could be the last. But I’ve been speaking to my family and at no point have I seen fear in their eyes. We have to stay strong and optimistic, we have to smile. It’s important not to lose your personality.”

Anyone wanting Alex’s help to become a sponsor can contact him by searching for Alex Koval Worcester on Facebook.