A WREXHAM man has bought a house for a family who have fled the war in Ukraine.
Jamie Hughes, from Rossett, purchased the £100,000 three-bedroom property in Wrexham town centre to house refugees.
"I was sat watching the news and thought - I have to do something to help these poor people," the 50-year-old said.
"None of these people have done anything to deserve this - and if I can help one family reach sanctuary, it's worth it."
He added: "I was originally going to annex part of my own house, but I realised that could take two years to sort out, and there wouldn't be sufficient space and privacy for them.
"I found a place in Wrexham town centre which is perfect for a family, with it being located where it is."
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And Jamie, who owned a local company called Pace Telecom, has now been paired with a family of four who is fleeing the conflict.
"I got back on Facebook after two years of not being on it, and put an appeal out to family and friends as I have no links to the Ukraine," he said.
"A lovely lady called Renata Fox, who speaks Ukrainian is linking British householders up with refugees.
"She has already helped 53 refugees to be sponsored, and informed of a lady called Maria, and her three boys, aged 10, 12 and 14."
Jamie has been in touch with Maria, who fled her home after missiles started hitting 10 miles away from it, every day since.
Alongside his friend, Julie Simkins, he has been working to furnish the house - with items such as a sofa, beds, washing machine and fridge freezer donated by the local community.
Maria said she "couldn't believe it" and told Mr Hughes he was "so kind".
She also told him "you've done enough" when he offered money to help with her escape out of the country.
Currently, Maria and her sons are making their way to a refugee camp in Poland.
From there they can register for papers to become refugees and get to the UK. Maria is hoping to move to the UK in the coming week if her family's visas are confirmed on time.
Jamie set up a Facebook group called Wrexham and Ukraine United - which is helping people looking to sponsor refugees with the hurdles they need to overcome to do so.
"It's a very rigorous application process, and one we're looking to help people with," he said.
Jamie said Maria, who worked in anaesthetics at a Ukrainian hospital, will be put in touch with people at the local hospital with the hope of finding her a job.
She will also be enrolling in an intensive English course on her arrival in the UK.
Her boys, who are football lovers, have something else to look forward to upon their arrival in the town.
After contacting Wrexham AFC, the club pledged to "make a fuss of them, kit them out - make them feel welcome and a part of the community".
Jamie is now looking for a bus company to provide a vehicle and a couple of drivers to take part in a humanitarian mission.
"We're looking to take a bus to the Ukraine-Poland border to hand out aid items," he said.
"And if possible - bring some of the 53 sponsored refugees home on it."
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