A COMPANY director is ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees into his Warwick home.
Martin Holton, who runs car dealership Country Car Barford, is offering sanctuary to those fleeing the Russian invasion at his 16-room home.
Martin is working with the Ukraine Embassy in London, which is opening a sponsorship scheme, and Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, to place refugees with him.
Martin, who lives with his housekeeper, said: “I have been following thewar since it started. It is terribly upsetting to see all the Ukraine people running from their homes to nowhere.
“They don’t know where they are going, they have left their lives behind, they have nothing and yet they are still strong – it’s heart-wrenching to watch.”
He has also applied to the Ukrainian Embassy to go to the country and serve its people from the frontline.
He said there were many roles people could take on other than fighting.
“It’s horrifying – I can’t watch it any more except I can’t not watch it. I stay up all night watching it and I want to do something. It doesn’t matter what. Whether it’s driving, cooking, there are millions of people at the border who’ve lost everything but then there’s still so many people in Ukraine who need help too.”
Martin, along with his team at the garage, has also started an aid collection.
“I just felt I needed to do something however small, they need as much help as they can get from everyone.
“The Ukraine people have done nothing to deserve this war.”
The team is asking for specific items including military protective equipment, electric generators, towels, insulated ground sheets, torches, batteries, personal hygiene products, nappies, first aid kits, bin bags, bandages and thermal clothing.
Visit the Country Car Facebook page for the full list.
