A young Ukrainian woman has landed a job with a ticketing software company in Cumbria after she and her family were forced to flee worn-torn Ukraine.

Mila Udod, aged 29, is providing customer support for clients of TygTickets, which serves tourist attractions.

She fled her home in Bucha in the Kyiv region more than six months ago with her husband and their 10-year-old son Rockey.

Thanks to the generosity of a host family, they were able to settle in Cumbria, where Mila landed her job.

TygTickets operations manager Maureen Huck said: “Mila has fitted seamlessly into the team, although we are all aware of the difficulties her family have faced at home. She is a huge asset to the business and popular with our customers.” 

Mila said: “I had a few jobs in Ukraine including working as an English teacher and working for an American company on transportation and logistics, so it was easier for me as I spoke the language.  

“My husband found things more difficult, but he is learning English and has also found work on a farm, and we are happy we have an opportunity to live a safe life here.

“Cumbria is a beautiful part of the UK, and we like to walk on the beach and next to the lakes, people are so lovely and kind here.”

Mila said she had previously worked for a flight ticketing company, which helped her adapt to her new role.

“It is a friendly, small office and it is satisfying to help customers when they have a query about the way the system works,” she added.

“Our family members and most of our friends are still in Ukraine, and things are not good there at all. The children don’t have the opportunity to go to schools and universities, because of the everyday rockets flying over their heads.

“At the moment people don’t have electricity most of the day, which affects heating. They have difficulty with water supplies and many people lost their jobs with the beginning of the war. 

“We made the right decision to leave, since now our son has an opportunity to continue learning at school and at the boxing club and communicate with his peers. Our family feel safe here, thanks to the huge support of the United Kingdom and the kindness of the British people.” 

Maureen added: “We encourage other hospitality and tourism businesses to do what they can for Ukranian people, who just want to have a safe life here until peace returns to their homeland once again.”