A Southend woman who helped a dozen family members flee war in Ukraine is now asking the local community for their help in keeping them fed.

Julia Shvedchenko, 40, purchased tickets for family members including her dad, mum, aunt, cousins and two cats to flee the country via Poland after their hometown of Okhtyrka was bombed heavily by Russian forces at the start of the conflict.

While “relieved” to have escaped the conflict which destroyed or damaged their homes the group of 12 arrived via family visas on March 31 meaning they were could not rely on the government support those who arrive via the Homes for Ukraine are eligible to.

Echo: Ms Shvedchenko's family eating a meal at the Barrington Grill on Hockley Road, RayleighMs Shvedchenko's family eating a meal at the Barrington Grill on Hockley Road, Rayleigh

With her family members, 10 of who currently reside with Ms Shvedchenko on Maldon Road, also unable to claim Universal Credit and children Leo, 10, Maya, 5, and Phoebe, 2, needing feeding it meant she has used the foodbank at the St Vincent’s Centre on Short Street.

Due to the food needed to help her family the charity has started a fundraiser to help both Ms Shvedchenko’s relatives as well as restock their shelves.

She said: “I find it a little bit unfair because they are in the same kind of situation as those on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

“There’s so many of family members that I cannot possibly look after everybody. A lot of people have been very supportive, I can’t have done it without them. I had to give up spending money on a nursery because we need food.”    

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She added: “Everyone is relieved but they have left all their lives behind like their businesses, partners and husbands who are fighting. It’s very hard to concentrate of having a new life just yet. Slowly we’ll get there.”

The new arrivals have put strain on the St Vincent’s Centre who are now asking people to not just help the refugees but also the hundreds of other who rely on their services every month.

Centre manager Daniel Cauchi, 44, said: “Everyone was raising money for Ukraine which was great but the point is now that they’re coming to us. It’s been a bit of a shock for us.

“We haven’t thought about those coming via the visa system. We 100% rely on the community but the need and the demand is so high.”

To donate to the fundraiser click here.