Ukrainian mum living in Scotland fears she'll 'never see family again' after invasion
03.03.2022 - 18:39
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A Ukrainian woman who made Scotland her home five years ago has opened up on fears she may "never see her family again" amid the invasion.
Nahris Shannon, who lives in Midlothian, watched in horror as Russian troops invaded her homeland last week where most of her family still live.
The 26-year-old was born and grew up in Poltava, a Ukrainian city just a few hours away from Kyiv.
So far she had managed to keep in contact with family and friends and has received messages back to say food is running out, with others joining up to the defence force.
She said: "I have my family there, my auntie, uncles and cousins, we are very close. My auntie and my two brothers and cousins looked after me since my mother passed away when I was young.
"Currently my uncle who is sixty-years-old and my two brothers who have children under five are part of the defence force.
"It's made me feel angry, sad and afraid for my friends and family. I also started to feel guilty that I couldn't be there with them to help in any way possible.
"I don't have a large family and watching this unfurl I am afraid that something will happen to them and I will never see them again.
"My classmate and very good friend phoned me telling that she's volunteering, helping people with food and medicine supplies , said that people are running out food and she had to go and help.
"She was risking her life as most of the woman and children were hiding in the bunkers."
Hearing that supplies were running out across the country, Nahris was among many in Edinburgh and the Lothians who jumped into action, preparing donations to be sent over.
Working with the Edinburgh Ukranian Club, the 26-year-old appealed to the local community to give whatever they can to her collection point,