Tower and Town, March 2026 (view the full edition)Illia's StoryTony Michael talks to Illia about his experience: What was it like in Kyiv in the few days before you left? We lived on the 19th floor in an apartment block. We were trapped there. The bridges near us were blown up, and there were bombs dropping and our building shook. My mum moved my bed into the corridor. Anti-aircraft guns were in the woods next to us and Russian helicopters flew around us. How old were you when you left Ukraine? I was 7. I didn't mind leaving my school because it had horrible food, but I was sad at leaving my friends. Describe the first part of your journey leaving your home. It was very cold. A volunteer took us to the station to catch a train to Lviv. The train was packed and it was very dark. We couldn't put on a light in case the Russians saw us. The trip took over twenty hours. I was really upset leaving. I had left my home and country, all my stuff, everything. I left my best friend and I still don't know what happened to him. What did you feel like when you arrived in Marlborough? I didn't know the country or the language. I didn't know what to do. I knew no-one and I was very lonely. The only person I knew was my mum. I was very frightened. When someone came to the door, I hid as I thought England was dangerous. Describe going to School for the first time. I cried. I didn't want to leave my mum. I was scared. In St. Mary's there were other Ukrainian children who looked after me and the Headteacher was a sponsor of a Ukrainian family, and it got better. Now I'm in St. Johns which is good, 'though I don't like French. I have been in England now for three and a half years. I can speak English fluently, I have lots of friends and I'm more confident. I want to stay in England. Tony Michael |