Ukranian Cross, Mylor Bridge, Cornwall service held

More than 200 people gathered above Mylor Bridge this afternoon to hear powerful testimony from two women who said their family in Ukraine was "petrified".

Dasha and Katya Smith, who were both adopted at nine years of age, told a crowd assembled at the memorial cross above Mylor Bridge that their family was in the city of Kherson in the south which was under heavy attack.

Their testimony was part of a service led by the Bishop of Truro Philip Mounstephen at the monument above Mylor Bridge this afternoon.

Over 200 people gathered in front of the Ukranian Cross

The two women laid flowers on the cross which was built in 1948 by Ukranian refugees who had escaped Stalin's oppression after World War Two.

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They told the crowd, who had gathered to show their support for the people of Ukraine who are struggling to survive a vicious onslaught by Vladimir Putin's army, that the gathering was giving them strength.

Over 200 people gathered in front of the Ukranian Cross

"Thank you for everybody who is supporting us today it is really hard," said Dasha. "Our family are petrified but they are standing strong. They are just very thankful to everyone that they are not forgotten. Please help how you can just by praying and remembering."

Katya told the crowd: "At this point our tears have turned from sadness and anger to pride and strength and everyone here is helping us to keep our strength and our minds sensible for now and hope that everyone in Ukraine keeps their strength as well."

Ukranians Dasha and Katya Smith were overwhelmed by the show of support

Afterwards Dasha from Truro told the Packet that she did not expect this many people to turn up to the gathering.

"It's beautiful," she said. "I did not expect this many people here. I thought there would be around ten or 15 people, but this is just incredible and it means so much to the people of Ukraine. They just don't want to be forgotten and they are fighting, they are scared they are running out of money, food, supplies."

She said her family is in Kherson which is in the south of the country and had been 'heavily, heavily' attacked and she was trying to raise money for them if she could and had set up a Crowdfunder page called 'Families in Kherson'

She said her family and friends are sheltering in Kherson from bombs, explosions, missiles and gun fire. "People and families are running low of food/water/children's nappies/gas and need our help," she said.

The Bishop of Truro led the service

Earlier the Bishop of Truro urged the government to open its door to Ukranian refugees or any refugees saying the sea around Cornwall was not a boundary but a gateway.

"We need to welcome refugees and not just for picking fruit," he said, referring to a now delted Tweet by a member of the government who had said Ukranian refugees had the option to come to the UK if they were prepared to work in the fields.

The Ukranian and Cornish flags are laid on the cross

A message, which had been posted on the Mylor Parish Church Facebook page by Ukranian Marsha Szewczuk whose grandfather helped build the cross, was also read out: She said: "My family and I wish we could be there today, but unfortunately can’t due to various reasons. My Ukrainian grandfather, who stayed in the camp and lived on the outskirts of the village, helped erect the memorial. He’d be pleased that there is a service there today, thank you."

Member of Newquay Refugees Welcome group gave a powerful speech about peace

Messages of peace were also spoken by members of the Anglican, Muslim and Jewish communities