United Kingdom, hosts a Ukrainian woman who fled the war: he leaves his wife for a new life with her

When Tony Garnett, a 29-year-old security guard, decided to join the British government’s Ukrainian refugee support program he could never have imagined that his life would change forever. “It started with a desire to do the right thing and help someone, a man or a woman. But it was Sofia who came into my life and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for,” the boy told the British tabloid. The Sun. Between him and the 22-year-old who escaped from Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, it was love at first sight and Garnett decided to leave his wife and two daughters to build a new life with her.

“As soon as I saw it, I liked it,” he said Sofia Karkadym remembering the day she walked into Garnett’s home in Bradford, Northern England, for the first time. The girl was greeted by Tony and his wife Lorna on May 4th, after waiting weeks for a UK visa. According to Garnett, the application process for the government support program was too long so she decided to turn to social networks. She was introduced to Sofiia via Facebook and from there she decided to become her sponsor. A system that allows the British to host Ukrainian refugees even if there are no family ties with them.

“Sixty years ago my grandfather fled Russia to start a new life in the UK. Without the help of others he would never have made it. “Garnett said he just wanted to help, but things took an” unexpected turn. “The two spent entire evenings chatting on the sofa, while watching television with Ukrainian subtitles, they went to the gym together and then sat in the car talking.

“Nothing else happened in the beginning, but all of this started to spark discussions.” Lorna, exasperated by the bond and the complicity that had been established between the two, admitted that she could no longer bear the idea of ​​seeing the girl in their home. “I said to Lorna: ‘If she leaves, I’ll go too’. I knew I couldn’t give up on her and it suddenly seemed like child’s play. We packed up and moved to my parents’ house.” .

Tony and Sofia are looking for a new home together and want to apply for a permanent visa for the girl who fled the war in Ukraine. “It was all very fast, but this is our love story. I know people will think badly of me, but it happens. I could see how unhappy Tony was, “said the 22-year-old.