Fundraiser for Ukrainian girl with 'very uncertain future' after family tragedy in Donegal
Oksanna Ivanova and her daughter Anastasia fled the war three years ago and sought refuge in Donegal.
The pair arrived in Ireland 'with a fighting spirit', with Oksanna taking time to help fellow Ukrainians to settle in Ireland. Oksanna Ivanova. Pic: GoFundMe
Anastasia attends Scoil Cholmcille in Drummar. However, the young girl now faces a 'very uncertain future' after her mum was killed in a tragic accident in Letterkenny two weeks ago.
It's understood that Anastasia's father, who has been fighting in the war, has arrived in Donegal to take her home.
A GoFundMe has been set up by a teacher in the school, Claire Claydon, to 'try and ease' the family's financial burden.
The post reads: 'Last week we received the awful news that one of our beloved Ukrainian pupils Anastasia lost her mum Oksanna in a tragic accident in Letterkenny. Oksanna and her only child Anastasia, fled the war 3 years ago and sought refuge here in Ireland. Oksanna Ivanova. Pic: GoFundMe
'Oksanna arrived with a fighing spirit determined to give her daughter a better life. She was desperate to work and contribute to Irish life.
'Oksanna embedded herself in our culture whilst being a leading figure in the community for helping her fellow Ukrainians settle in and establish themselves in Donegal. She was a strong pioneering force with a great sense of humour. Oksanna endured great personal loss at the recent death of her only sibling on the front line in Ukraine.'
It adds: 'Anastasia faces a very uncertain future. Her father, who is fighting in the war, has arrived in Donegal to take her home.
'We will miss her presence in school very much and she will undoubtedly feel the wrench of leaving her school friends and the
community.
'We can't take away the heartache of her losing her mother but we can try and ease their financial burden and help give Anastasia a foothold for her future education amd endeavours.'
Over €4,300 has been raised for the GoFundMe campaign so far.
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