THE first Ukrainian refugee to arrive in Hexham six months ago said people in the town have been "very kind".
Svitlana Pohasiy and her 15-year-old daughter Olexandra, who lived in Kyiv, came to the town in April following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The pair are being hosted by Sarah Kemp and her partner John Cobb, who are artistic directors of Hexham-based Théâtre Sans Frontières (TSF).
They are currently staying at the house of Sarah and John's neighbours and have found a new house in Hexham to move into in November.
Svitlana said she was grateful to Hexham Town Council for its help in finding the house.
"It's a very nice place with very kind people," said Svitlana.
"A lot of Ukrainian people have come to Hexham. We have a group message and there are 75 Ukrainians in Hexham and near the town."
Svitlana, a filmmaker and director who runs a children's filmmaking festival, returned to Ukraine this summer to run a film camp for children affected by the war.
Svitlana raised almost £2,000 for the camp, with many donations from people in Tynedale.
In June, films made by her students were screened at the Forum Cinema and all proceeds from the night went towards the running of the camp.
She said she is very appreciative of the support she received.
Last month, Hexham Town Council asked Svitlana to make a film of their The Time Travellers' Flash Mob event, which was held to mark the 800th anniversary of the market charter.
"For me it was a pleasure because I and a lot of Ukrainian people want to help British people because we are very thankful," said Svitlana.
She added they are "worried about British people getting tired of supporting Ukrainian people" because of the length of the war.
"We are very worried about the future because we understand it is not forever, the support of Ukrainian people, because it's hard.
"People have been very kind.
"We don't want to just sit and take this support, we want to give and contribute."
Svitlana hoped to go back to Ukraine this autumn but with intense strikes on Kyiv, she said it's not safe to return yet.
Svitlana's husband remained in Kyiv, while her mother lives in a city near Kherson.
"We worry about our family," she said.
"I think my Christmas will be spent in Hexham but I really hope to go back to Ukraine, but I don't know," she added.
"Maybe if I was alone, I would go back to Ukraine because I feel I can help or volunteer there. But I have a daughter and I need to think about her."
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