We can't close our eyes and pretend it's not happening

How Ukrainian students in Manchester have joined forces with others to form a fundraising group that keeps growing

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

MARIIA Horb travelled over 1,500 miles from her hometown of Kyiv to study in Manchester two years ago.

Over the last four months, she has watched her country become a war zone on social media and news channels.

Her story is similar to so many other Ukrainian students who left their country to study and are unable to return. But in a situation that could leave them feeling helpless, students in Manchester and across the UK have banded together in an extraordinary way.

At the University of Manchester, students have resurrected the previously dormant Ukrainian Society, drawing in support from not just Ukrainians, but many at the institution who want to show support for their fellow students living through what for many of us is an unimaginable nightmare.

"I think the way the support works for most of us psychologically is twofold," Mariia told the Manchester Evening News.

"First of all, for me personally it was the same as meeting people who understand you, because you cannot relate to literally anyone else. Nobody could understand what is happening more than Ukrainian nationals."

One of the group's main aims is to put on fundraising events and raise money for Ukrainians coming to live in Manchester and across the UK they have so far raised around £6,000 for the British Ukrainian Aid Charity. Mariia said their efforts are helping her cope.

"The most frustrating thing is to not do anything because you can't, so what we've done is to try to start the funding to do something. It's a feeling that you actually can contribute."