A GROUP of Ukrainian refugees who fled the Russian invasion and now live in Solihull paid a visit to Parliament and Downing Street,
Meriden MP, Saqib Bhatti, invited nearly 60 Ukrainian refugees to London after he met them at St Philip’s Church in Dorridge in the summer.
Thanks to the generosity of National Express, travel to and from London was provided for all members of the group.
The group of Ukrainian refugees is comprised of both adults and children from who have settled in the Meriden Constituency area, with the trip to London organised through a collaboration between Mr Bhatti’s team, National Express, and community organiser Kathleen O’Hara.
Mr Bhatti said: “We are now a year on from Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
“I can only begin to imagine how difficult this year has been for those in and from Ukraine that have had their lives turned upside down overnight, with homes destroyed, families separated, and worse.
“It is from the shadows of this horror that I am proud of just how well my constituents across Meriden have stepped up and welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms.
“It is on their behalf that I invited the group to Parliament and visit Downing Street. To show them, that, from the local community up to the heart of our democracy, we stand with them.
“My hope is that, once the fighting ends, once families are reunited, homes rebuilt, that those who return are able to look back at the friendship and warmth of St Philip’s Church and the wider community.”
