A FAMILY who has relocated across Europe to help Ukrainian families fleeing the war have explained the reasoning behind their kind-hearted actions.
Colin McCue, from Darlington, and wife Eszter recently travelled to north west Hungary after receiving a call from her anxious elderly parents on the impact the war could have on their country.
The couple initially hoped to help families fleeing the terror by donating food, medical and other essential supplies at the Tiszabecs border-crossing but are now working up to 17 hours a day supporting and transporting families who have fled their homeland.
“We’re trying to give people a bit of hope in humanity that there’s still a bit of kindness in the world,” Mr McCue told the Northern Echo from Hungary. “People have been so grateful.”
After seeing people travelling hundreds of miles over several days and enduring sub-zero temperatures, the North East couple sprung into action. They have used local Facebook groups to help organise and exchange donations.
“It started as buying food and other essential supplies and going to the border. We’ve been doing this every day.
“We have been transporting people in the van and have been driving them to Budapest; to the airport and the railway station.
“Some of them wanted to talk, some didn’t. People are absolutely petrified.”
Read more: 150k items leave Darlington for Ukraine after donation effort
Although the couple’s van is often over capacity, crammed full of people wanting to to travel to Hungary’s capital, it hasn’t stopped them driving hundreds of miles overnight to help dozens of Ukrainians.
From mothers and children to pensioners and pets, Mr McCue says the ongoing situation at the Tiszabecs has been an emotional experience.
He said: “We’ve been doing this since the beginning. We’re doing 16-17 hours a day some days and it’s very emotional. There’s not really much government help here, it’s all charity people.
“Everyone feels a bit safer even when we’re all just in the van. People have slept, others have cried.”
The 54-year-old previously worked as a lorry driver and has so far funded all of their donations out the couple’s own pocket. More than £1,000 raised through an ongoing online fundraiser will help fund further supplies and travel costs.
“We watched people get off the train from Ukraine and it was heart-breaking. It puts your life into perspective,” Mr McCue added.
“It just seems like the right thing to do. The more we’ve done it the more we want to continue.”
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