A DARLINGTON journalist has spoken about why he has signed up for the Government’s scheme offering a spare room to Ukrainian refugees.

More than 120,000 people across the country have already signed up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched on Monday.

The Northern Echo: #ThereWithUkraine#ThereWithUkraine

Peter Barron, former editor of the Northern Echo, explained why he and his wife Heather had offered space in his home in Hurworth, near Darlington, to refugees fleeing the war.

Read more: Darlington people are offering up rooms to Ukrainian refugees

He said: “We’ve been talking about it for a while. We had four children and they have all flown the nest now so we have the space.”

Mr Barron, who shared the news on his Twitter account to spread the word about the scheme, added: “What would you want if you were in their shoes? You would hope that someone would help you in that situation. It seems like the right thing to do.

"The reason I tweeted was to encourage other people. I just wanted to let them know it’s very easy and if you’re in a position to help them then it is very simple.

"We appreciate we’re lucky to have the space so if we can help somebody who needs it in terrible, terrible times. I can only start to imagine what they must have gone through and that was why we want to do something.”

He added the scheme had taken just more than a minute to sign up to and was “very simple”.

Last week, Fran Wood, from Darlington Assistance for Refugees (DAR) told the Northern Echo the group had already had messages from people in the town who wanted to offer their spare rooms to refugees.

Refugee minister Lord Richard Harrington said today (Wednesday) that thousands of Ukrainian refugees could arrive in the UK next week.

Those who have expressed interest and found someone to sponsor will be able to apply from Friday, MPs heard.

Read more: Thousands of Ukraine refugees expected to arrive in UK next week – minister

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