We have been trying to help a mother and her two-year-old under the Ukraine sponsorship scheme for 37 days (Priti Patel faces legal action from Ukrainians stuck in visa backlog, 2 May). The mother is still waiting for a visa, but the child has been granted one. No reason has been given as to why the mother has not been issued a visa to travel with her child. We cannot think of a more foolhardy and stupid way to process applications.
There are mothers with children having to live in underground bunkers in Ukraine, short of food and fresh water, with no power, desperately trying to keep their children safe. If you are in this position and your child gets a visa, do you try and get them to safety or do you wait for your visa, knowing you could both be killed any day?
The mother and child we are trying to help are friends. Their home was damaged and they sought refuge. The visa delays are adding to their stress and anxiety. The young boy has special needs, so he needs specialist support. His condition is not being helped by the trauma that he has experienced from the war.
How can the Home Office be mad enough to issue a two-year-old permission to travel alone?
David and Pamela Hopcroft
Brierfield, Lancashire
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