Alexander Pushkin, owner of Pushkin Antiques in Tunbridge Wells High Street, says he came to the UK at the age of eight from St Petersburg, Russia, and has been left feeling ‘helpless and devastated’ for friends and family caught up in the war caused by Putin’s invasion.
He told the Times: “I always felt free in the UK and in my younger years I was always opposed to wars and openly protested them in my college years marching against the war in Iraq and in later years opposing the war in Libya.
“Now, married and with two children of my own, I am so grateful that they do not have to endure the sorrows and hardships as some of my friends in Ukraine and my family are undoubtedly soon to be enduring in St Petersburg.
“Like many other Russian immigrants living in the United Kingdom, we have friends and family in Ukraine.
“I feel helpless and devastated at the thought that we cannot do enough to help them.
“I would have never thought in my life I would see a civilised world stand on the brink of war and see the iron curtain once again come down.
“With friends in Ukraine and family in Russia the current situation has had disastrous effects, and I feel it’s my duty as a British Citizen to do what is possible on my part.”
Alexander says he is speaking to people in Ukraine who are lacking basic medical supplies and food, and he has helped create a website to raise much needed funds for people in Ukraine.
He said: “We are constantly in contact with affected families in Ukraine, through social media and by phone, doing what we can to help.
“We know that they do not have enough food and health services are struggling due to lack of medical supplies.
“Your donations can really help reach even more people in desperate need. Please donate today.
“Together we must stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and send our support to charities in neighbouring countries who are already helping people affected by this horrific conflict.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine.”
Those able to help can contact the following website for links to organisations helping the fleeing refugees:
Tunbridge Wells Ukraine Relief
Read more about the Tunbridge Wells community coming out in support of Ukraine here:
