An Oldham woman with Ukrainian roots is fundraising for people in Ukraine, following the country's invasion by Russia.
Pharmacy advisor Katrina Challoner, 24, is appealing for donations to the charities The British Red Cross and Sunflower of Peace.
Both charities are distributing medical and humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine.
READ MORE: Ukraine drop off points near me in Greater Manchester - how people can help those fleeing Russia war
Katrina told the M.E.N.: "I have family in Ukraine, and I felt helpless because I can’t do anything to directly help them or take them out of the conflict.
"I felt like I needed to do something.
"Even raising £100 could make a difference, because that's quite a bit of money in Ukraine."
After sharing her appeal on Facebook, Katrina has been inundated with messages from people wanting to donate and support the cause.
She has already raised £265 and will be hosting a raffle on her her Facebook page this Sunday (6th March).
Raffle prizes such as Yankee candles, beauty vouchers and gym memberships have been donated by businesses and generous individuals.
Additionally, Katrina is selling Ukrainian-themed illustration prints for £5 and keyrings for £3 each, that she designed herself, with proceeds going to Ukraine.
Katrina credits her grandparents for helping her stay connected to her Ukrainian roots.
Her grandma was born in Bosnia to Ukrainian parents.
Her Ukrainian grandad sadly died in July.
He was from a small village called Stepanov, where the nearest city is Ternopil.
"Me and my brother were baptised Ukrainian Catholic," Katrina said.
"When I was little, I used to do Ukrainian dancing. My grandma still watches Ukrainian tv, like Ukrainian Married At First Sight.
"I once made my grandad a cookie jar with the Ukrainian flag on it and the Ukrainian coat of arms. He used to keep it by his side and he was so proud that I made that for him.
"One Easter, I made him a balloon and wrote ‘happy Easter’ in Ukrainian on it and he would play with it. I haven't visited Ukraine myself, but I have been to visit my Ukrainian family in Serbia and Bosnia.
"It's sad, really, because I would have liked to visit Kyiv as a city break, but obviously, we’ve had Covid, and now, it’s a difficult time."
Some of Katrina's Ukrainian relatives are still based in Ternopil, while others live in Australia.
The current situation in Ukraine has been "frightening" for Katrina's family.
Katrina continued: " I’ve got cousins, aunties and uncles in Ukraine, who will have been in the middle of the warzone.
"It’s easier to get in touch with them because we can message them on Facebook and lots of networks are offering free calls. But in the villages, where my grandad was from and where we’ve got family, it’s harder to keep track of them.
"The villages are remote and they’ve got wooden shacks for houses. They don't have the same access. So we keep in touch with them through third parties to make sure they're ok.
"My family and I have been telling our Ukrainian relatives that there are people here in the UK that want to donate and support them, so they know they are not on their own."
This is not the first time that Katrina's family have been exposed to conflict.
At the age of 16, Katrina's grandad was taken from his village by Soviet soldiers to fight in World War Two.
"My grandad didn't have a choice," Katrina explained.
"He didn't get a chance to say goodbye to his family, he basically had his life and his freedom stripped from him. That's how he ended up coming to the UK. He was shipped to Scotland after the war and worked on farms.
"And then he came to Oldham, where he settled."
During the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Katrina's grandma had male relatives fighting in the conflict.
Katrina continued: "My grandma's brother and nephews were on the frontline. Her dad wasn't fighting, but he died because of all the stress.
"My great-grandma went blind overnight as a result of it. Even though my grandma was over here in the UK, she felt really helpless and became ill, as well.
"I don’t want history repeating itself. I’ve had people calling me a scammer and saying that Ukrainians want to come to the UK for benefits and things like that.
"But the only thing I can say is, I just hope that you never have to go through waking up and thinking ‘is my family member dead or alive? Have they had a bomb go off outside their house?'
"Showing solidarity with Ukraine will let them know that others are thinking of them."
Seeing how much support she has received for her fundraising, particularly from people in Oldham and Tameside, has been "overwhelming" for Katrina.
She added: "I know a lot of businesses have been struggling because of the pandemic, so even when someone donates a £10 voucher for a cocktail bar, I feel really grateful.
"It puts my faith back into humanity that people are still willing to help in any way possible."
Philomena Neate, 60, from Denton, came across Katrina's appeal on Facebook.
She has donated vouchers and gifts from retailer The Works to Katrina's appeal.
She said: "Katrina's absolutely amazing. I'm glad she's getting so much support.
"Lots of people will sit back and say 'oh dear', but Katrina has actually gotten up and done something about it.
"I was so upset about this happening in Ukraine- it's awful.
"I've got children and grandchildren- the thought of them living through terror and waking up with bombs around them, it is just unthinkable.
"There's lots of good in Tameside. You hear bad, but there's lots of good, as well.
"I'm always amazed at people's generosity.
"I wish Katrina well and I hope everyone gets behind her and raises as much as possible for people in Ukraine."
To support Katrina's fundraiser or buy a print illustration or keyring, visit her Facebook page here or send a donation through PayPal using the 'friends and family' option to kpchalloner@hotmail.co.uk .
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