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A British-Ukrainian who is helping to move refugees across the Polish border using a London black cab has said he is “doing everything he can”.
Roman Tymchyshyn, 31, has already driven about 80 people including pregnant women, disabled elderly people, children and even a nine-month-old baby.
He began driving refugees in his black cab across the Polish border on February 28, and has since clocked up 3,490 kilometres, which is about 500km a day.
“My employer is very generous and has allowed me one month’s paid leave so I relocated to Ukraine mainly to help people evacuate,” Mr Tymchyshyn said.
“Until they cross the border or reach their final destination the passengers feel frightened, but they are sometimes more relaxed when they are gathered together with different families as I form groups of random people.
“They discuss their stories and cry together about the losses or talk about their family members who have been split up.”
Mr Tymchyshyn, who is from Lviv, western Ukraine, travelled back to his birth country with his wife Ulyana Vovk from their home in Portadown, Northern Ireland, after war broke out almost a fortnight ago.
The classic car enthusiast said his black cab is “more comfortable and spacious”, which allows him to drive disabled people or carry up to six passengers.
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Refugees who fled Ukraine wait outside a temporary centre in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
Refugees intent on fleeing Ukraine wait for hours to board a train from Lviv to Poland. Reuters -
People arrive at a refugee camp near Palanca, in Moldova, about 3 kilometres from the border with Ukraine. EPA -
Pupils in Sache village, France, welcome Anastasia and her son Dary, refugees fleeing Ukraine. AFP -
Refugees from Ukraine disembark a ferry at the border crossing in Isaccea, Romania. Getty -
People who fled Ukraine wait for transport after crossing the border into Poland. AP -
Refugees at a makeshift shelter set up at a four-star hotel in Suceava, Romania. AP -
Women and children arrive at Lviv train station in western Ukraine as they try to flee the country. EPA -
Relatives are reunited after crossing from Ukraine into Hungary. Getty -
A woman welcomes a child who has arrived in Berlin on a train from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees from Odesa arrive in Athens. Reuters -
People fleeing Ukraine arrive at Velke Slemence, Slovakia. EPA -
Parents and children make their way through Berlin's main station after arriving in Germany from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees at the Medyka border crossing in Poland, where thousands are fleeing as a result of the Russian military offensive. AFP -
A sports hall in Chisinau, Moldova, where more than 500 people who fled from Ukraine found shelter. EPA -
A child looks out from a tent at a temporary camp for refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
A worker prepares a gym in Perpignan, France, before the arrival of people fleeing Ukraine. AFP
In addition to the helping refugees flee the war, he has also taken their pets – including a cat, a rabbit, two dogs and a turtle.
“I am doing everything I can to help … giving blood, looking for supplies, transporting goods through the border and fundraising,” he said.
“When you see things like this happening on your TV screen it’s one thing but when you experience it in person … it’s heart-breaking.
“Often children travel without parents and yesterday we had a case when an 11-year-old boy travelled all his way from Zaporizyzya to Slovakia alone – that’s more than 1000km I would imagine.
“Very old people are scared of the bombing and airplanes as some of them experienced World War II. Most of them don’t talk but pray while I’m driving for two hours.”
With the help of his sister Mariya, who lives in north London, Mr Tymchyshyn has also been fundraising to buy a second-hand SUV that can be used to evacuate injured civilians on the battlefield.
The siblings have almost reached their target of £3,000 ($3,934) and said any remaining money from the fundraiser will be spent on other necessary supplies.
“Used cars in the UK are more affordable and we have a green light at Polish/Ukrainian border who can let us in without paying any taxes and duties (humanitarian help),” Mr Tymchyshyn wrote on the fundraising page.
The pair have found a driver who is willing to take the car to the Polish border where Mr Tymchyshyn will collect it.
There the vehicle will be checked over by mechanics to ensure it is all in working order before being used on the battlefield.
Mr Tymchyshyn added that he would be willing to “take up a gun” and fight on the frontline “if needed”.
“Nobody wants to go and war … but I am proud of my country and my people,” he said. “This fight is very unfair but I am optimistic about the situation.”
