AN APPEAL has been launched to find hosts to help a Ukrainian grandmother in Dawlish.

She is desperate to rescue her 25-year-old daughter and six-year-old granddaughter from Sumy in eastern Ukraine.

They have managed to travel safely to Kyiv where they have given their biometrics of photos and fingerprints in preparation of coming to the UK under the Homes For Ukraine scheme.

They have now returned home to wait for their visas to be granted which can take up to a few months but would be as soon as a few weeks.

The appeal is being made by Preb Chris Curd, a former vicar of St George’s Church in Holcombe.

She said: ‘The Russians are 12 km away and they are under constant bombardment.

'To come here under the Ukraine scheme, they need a British citizen or someone with permanent right to remain who would sponsor them and give them a home.

‘It could be anything from a largish bedroom or two bedrooms in your home, to an annexe or a separate property.’

Their grandmother has been in Dawlish for three years, has a car and holds down three part time jobs, speaking good English.

Her daughter who is hoping to join her here works online for an American company.

They are able to fund their own travel and would be able to pay the full cost of utilities while a £350 monthly payment is made by the local authority.

Chris added: ‘There is plenty of support for hosts and guests, both in the visa process and once the guests arrive.

'And in this case, there would be the help and support of the grandmother who has been in the UK for three years.

‘Obviously, the nearer to Dawlish the better, but the most important thing is to keep this little family safe.’

Chris is also trying to find somewhere to rent for a mother and her 17-year-old daughter who are already in the UK.

She said they are ‘quiet, responsible people who have been in the UK for over a year and speak English’.

The dad is in the Ukrainian armed forces and the 17-year-old is due to start studying for A levels.

The mother is already working and there is another adult relative in Dawlish with a host so it is hoped they can be found somewhere between Exminster and Teignmouth and within reach of a bus route.

Anyone able to help provide accommodation can contact Chris at [email protected].

The appeals for accommodation as Dawlish continued its support for Ukrainian guests in the town by marking Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24.

Organised by Dawlish Town Council, the event, which has been held in the town since the start of the war, saw the Ukrainian national flag raised on the Lawn.