Bury St Edmunds provides solace to Ukrainian mum - forced to flee her home city of Kyiv

A woman who had to flee her home in war-torn Ukraine says she has 'found peace' in Bury St Edmunds.

Kat Bogdaniuk was forced to evacuate her apartment in the centre of Kyiv just days after Russian forces invaded the capital city in February this year.

Living close to government buildings, the 43-year-old and her 22-year-old daughter, Anna, had no choice but to flee as shooting started.

At first Kat and Anna lived in the underground car park of their 27 storey apartment block.

She then began a two month journey across six European countries, before arriving in England.

“We travelled on trains, first to Lviv, in the west of Ukraine, then to Poland. We didn’t sleep for the first five nights after we left.

“It was all mothers; everyone was in shock. There would be fifteen of us in a dark, four person carriage. My daughter and I had just one suitcase between us.”

Kat, who ran an estate agents business in Kyiv, as well as working as a marketing director, then stayed in Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Milan Italy and France, before arriving in the UK.

“It was scary not knowing where we were going but everywhere, people were very supportive. I posted my details on Facebook and that’s how I found people to stay with,” said Kat.

Kat stopped looking at the news after one month; instead only learning what was happening in her home country through messages to her mum, Olga, 67, who stayed in Kyiv to look after Kat’s grandmother, Rymma, 94.

“News from Ukraine is terrifying and fills me with sorrow, so I only learn what is happening when I check every day that my mum and grandmother are safe," said Kat.

“At first, our government told us we could return after five days, then it was six months, then a year. We just don't know and I am making my life here."

Through Facebook, Kat was contacted by a couple of from Bury St Edmunds who offered her a place to stay for six months.

“I was sent messages from around the country but I knew Cambridge and I googled Bury,” said Kat.

“I immediately fell in love with Abbey Gardens, and visit most days. It reminded me of Downton Abbey, and I find peace there.

“For a few months after leaving, I would cry a lot. Maybe it was shock. Some of my friends still have panic attacks.

"The couple who took me in, Andrew and Michelle were wonderful, and made me feel at home."

Kat has also found a job in town as a lettings and sales assistant at Whatley Lane estate agents, on Churchgate Street.

The job has also enabled her to rent her own place to live.

“I feel like everyone I have met has been an angel,” she said.

“I am lucky to have a new life here - and I think positive, having made new friends, both Ukrainian, and in Bury St Edmunds.

"I'd like say thanks to everyone who has made me feel welcome."

James Sawyer, director at Whatley Lane, said: ‘Witnessing the incomprehensible events unfold in Ukraine made

many of us jump to help by any means possible and the private sector can do more.

"A recent UK government follow-up survey of Ukrainian visa holders entering the UK found that 47 per cent of respondents had experienced some barriers to being able to take up work in the UK.

"With job vacancies at all-time highs, businesses would do well to grow and develop from the high skill cultural exchange benefits.

"Now fully employed, Kat is exceptional in property marketing and management having had her own real estate business in Kyiv prior to the conflict and we are lucky to have her."