A family from Ukraine, who have found sanctuary in Strathearn, had a taste of home recently when they visited the sunflowers at Gloagburn.
They were thrilled to see their country’s national flower - the sunflower - in such numbers.
Husband and wife Tolek and Daria, their daughter Sofia and Daria’s mum Olena have been settling into Fowlis Wester with help from their sponsor Lucy Tod and Strathearn Welcome.
When Daria, Sofia and Olena left Ukraine on March 5, ahead of Tolek, they didn’t know where they would end up. They just wanted to escape the bombs.
Daria (30) did all she could to ensure Sofia was not affected by the war or the sound of bombs even when they were fleeing their home town - Severodonetsk.
It took them four days to get to the western region of Ukraine.
Daria explained: “It was very difficult. I didn’t explain to Sofia what was happening. I just said it is very strong rain.
“I did all that I could so that she didn’t feel the war or get depressed.
“We left with Sofia’s godmother and her husband. We heard a lot of bombing so we went to the next basement to wait.
“When it was silent for five minutes we quickly went to the car and just drove across town. “It was very dangerous.
“We moved from town to town. While our husbands were driving we were trying to find somewhere to stay for the night.
“We just had to keep checking on the mobile for somewhere safe.
“We hadn’t a home and we had a little child and we didn’t know what would happen next or where we would be staying for the night.”
Daria said that people in communities along the way were very kind, organising mattresses and food for those escaping from the Russian invasion in the east.
She worries about friends who are still there and her father who is in the reserve army.
One friend, a firefighter who helped save people, was imprisoned by the Russians when his region became occupied.
Daria continued: “Every part of Ukraine is very dangerous now as any part can be bombed.
“A lot of my friends crossed the border but some remain. Our town is occupied now.”
Daria’s mother, Olena, initially found it harder to adjust as she doesn’t speak much English.
She owned an umbrella shop in Ukraine which was burnt down in an attack.
And Daria has seen photos of her own home on the internet.
Half of the family’s apartment block has been obliterated by bombs.
She continued: “We are praying that our region will be Ukraine. According to official information, around 80 per cent of our native town is destroyed. We haven’t nurseries or schools. Hospitals have also been bombed.
“I want a future for my child but our town would need to be reconstructed.
“Now we have to adapt to live day to day. It is the Ukrainian people’s life now. Every part of Ukraine is not safe.”
While making their escape, a friend put Daria in touch with Duncan Spinner from Pitlochry, who has been helping refugees get to Scotland.
Daria said: “He is an amazing person and has helped a lot of people. It was like magic. I called him and he said tell me your story and he said we have a community that will help you. They paid for our travelling and our accommodation in Poland.
“Then we came here and at first we didn’t believe it was a place of safety.”
The family have been overwhelmed by all the care and welcome packages they have received.
Daria added: “We have mixed feelings. We enjoy life here. Physically we are here and we like this place very much, but in our mind we are continually thinking about war.”
Daria said they could not express how thankful the family is to everyone who has helped them.
