Salford dad who rushed to Ukraine border to help those fleeing for their lives opens up on the heartbreaking reality inside refugee centres

04.03.2022 - 00:11 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Exhausted women and children stumble out from overfilled buses. It is just another step in their ongoing journey to safety after crossing the border from Ukraine to Poland.

They are just a small few of the million who have so far fled their homes.

They are guided to a reception, where they are greeted by an army of volunteers helping them to register their identities. Amid their desperation following days on the move, they are guided over to piles of of vital food bags, clothes, toiletries and gifted toys for their little ones.

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It is a stellar operation - ongoing for 24 hours a day at various points along the Polish border with Ukraine, which has been devastated by the ongoing Russian invasion.

Thousands are making the long journey, on foot, on buses, and by train, going from a life as Ukrainian civilians with homes, jobs and families, to desperate refugees.

And although Poland is accepting refugees without a passport, there have been mile-long lines at border crossings as thousands flock to reception centres. It has been reported that some have had to wait as long as 60 hours to be processed.

Among those helping aid the wide-scale operation is Salford-born Mick Griffin. He moved to Poland 14 years ago and has since started a family, living with his wife and two sons in the coastal city of Gdynia.

When the news broke that the border laws were being relaxed to support fleeing families, he said he was left 'completely overwhelmed' by the generosity of the people of Poland.

Ever since the war began on February 24, Poland opened its borders to anyone fleeing Ukraine, regardless of their nationality. It is thought more than one