A MUM has welcomed two Ukrainians into her home in an emotional reunion after they fled the terrors of the Russian invasion.

Clare Maddocks, from Billericay, first took in Diana Sachavio 11 years ago, when she came to the UK for a month as part of a scheme run by the charity Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.

She felt compelled to step in again following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and arranged for the 21-year-old to come and stay under the Government settlement scheme, along with her mother Olena.

Mrs Maddocks, 53, said: “They flew in on Tuesday and there were lots of tears from us when we saw them. It was very emotional and my daughter Sophia just burst into tears.

“I think Diana and Olena just felt relieved, and I felt the same too. It’s brilliant they are here now, and they were very jubilant when we saw them.”

The family have been split by the conflict, with Olena’s parents not wanting to leave Ukraine, and her brother staying behind to do humanitarian work.

Mrs Maddocks added: “It’s great to see Diana again and they are doing fine. I think they are just being very positive and focusing on that rather than what they have been through.

“They lived in Irpin in Ukraine and it was affected by the war, they said the next street was badly hit.”

Mrs Maddocks applied for the Government visas as soon as she could on March 18 and the paperwork was agreed days later.

She then arranged flights and travel and met them at Stansted Airport earlier this week.

The mother and daughter travelled to Poland and then Lithuania over a number of weeks before flying to the UK.

They both speak some English, with Mrs Maddox knowing some Ukrainian, but she admitted that Google Translate had bridged communication gaps.

Mrs Maddox added: “If someone could give them work that would be amazing as they are keen to. So many people have been so kind and helping in many ways.

“One woman helped get me cheaper parking at the airport which was amazing - we didn’t even know her. Another woman helped with bunk beds and one gave us bedding.

“Everyone keeps telling me I am outstanding but I don’t agree, it was just a no-brainer for me.”