HEREFORD businesses are offering Ukraine refugees employment while a group is inundated with six-foot-high pallets of donations.

Hereford Help for Ukraine has helped 10 to 12 refugee families who have fled Ukraine because of Russia’s invasion.

Organiser Dean Granger said they are keen to work, and the group is liaising with Herefordshire businesses to find jobs for them.

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Meridian Business Support and Recruitment, based in Commercial Street, is working to offer employment in a wide range of sectors.

Hereford Times: Ira and her 2 year old son Arsen with Dean Granger at Hereford Help for Ukraine HQIra and her 2 year old son Arsen with Dean Granger at Hereford Help for Ukraine HQ

“These job opportunities can be married to the numerous different skills sets of the very hard working and willing refugees as well as helping them settle and integrate into our Herefordshire community,” said Mr Granger.

“They want to give something back to the community that is helping them.

“They said Herefordshire has been a safe haven for them.”

Avara Foods have also offered employment. 

A spokesperson said: "As the biggest private employer in Hereford, we approached Hereford Council and Hereford Help for Ukraine about the potential to provide refugees relocating into the area with job opportunities.

"We want to help and employment is a key part of that.

"Secure jobs would offer a greater chance of stability and normality and it’s something we’re actively exploring.

"Clearly, this is still at an early stage, and we’d want to ensure anyone joining us is appropriately looked after, but we’ll work closely to make sure that if there’s a way we can help, we will."

Hereford Times: Kelly and son Ethan are hosting a Ukrainian family Kelly and son Ethan are hosting a Ukrainian family

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Host families are also offering housing to Ukrainians as they look for refuge in the county.

“It’s heart-breaking to see what they have gone through,” said Mr Granger.

He and the other organisers have been working tirelessly to help refugees and organise donations.

Hereford Times: Olga Tverdokhlib originally set up the group from her home Olga Tverdokhlib originally set up the group from her home

Mr Granger has not had a day off in seven weeks.

Car seats, cots, pushchairs, clothing, medicine, and food are just a few items people from around Herefordshire have donated to refugees who have made it to Herefordshire and to those still experiencing the conflict.

“There are so many lovely people,” said Mr Granger.

Olga Tverdokhlib started the group from her three-bedroom house but quickly realised she would need extra help and more space.

Hereford Times: Hereford Help for Ukraine volunteers have been overwhelmed with the generosity from the people of HerefordshireHereford Help for Ukraine volunteers have been overwhelmed with the generosity from the people of Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council has donated two warehouses for them to use while they conflict continues.

The group believe they are one of the only ones in the UK to deliver goods into Ukraine itself.

With 100 tonnes and six-foot-high pallets of donations volunteers have been overwhelmed with the generosity of Hereford people.

Hereford Times: Volunteers have been working tirelessly to care for refugees arriving in Hereford and those still in UkraineVolunteers have been working tirelessly to care for refugees arriving in Hereford and those still in Ukraine

“Many families have lost so much,” Mr Granger said.

“I am so please we are able to do our bit, and we couldn’t have done it without the people of Herefordshire.”