Fundraiser for Roman & Vladimir

As you know, our Ukrainian partners have been with us for many years, and both us and our clients consider them close friends.

 

We have asked our partners, Roman and Vladimir, if they need any financial assistance during this crisis. While they are yet to accept financial help, we wanted to be proactive in starting to fundraise. If either or both decide they do not wish to receive the money, we will donate the amount to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal  - an organisation that will assist with food, water, first aid, warm clothes and shelter to those affected.

Vladimir

We worked with Vladimir when he was at our previous partners Arktur so when he decided to set up on his own, I did not hesitate to move our business with him. He was so courteous, trustworthy and dependable. All the qualities you want in a local partner, especially in a developing destination such as Ukraine was back in the day. Clients always had the most loveliest things to say about him:

Dear Andrea,
The three of us had a fantastic time in Kyiv and Lviv and I can't thank you enough for all your help in getting me there. Vladimir was great company and we were so grateful for his guiding us in Kyiv, since we had such a short time there. We got on famously with the train and our guide in Lviv was equally charming. The city was stunning.

Vladimir and his young family are out of Kyiv, he doesn’t disclose where they are but that they are safe and it is quiet. He will stay in touch with us and sent hugs to me and the Regent team. Peter spent rather a boozy time with Vladimir on one of his last trips to Ukraine – he is great fun. Most of us at Regent have enjoyed Vladimir’s social media posts, especially during lockdown, where he devoted himself to acting and has appeared in a number of productions! 


Roman

I was looking back over emails and recall setting up our Western Ukraine programme with Roman back in 2005/6. I can’t recall how we first got in touch, but we met in Bristol and at the time he was a one man operation and an amazing fixer. He looked after many of our clients wanting to find out more about their Ukrainian heritage, researching rural villages from vague memories clients gave us. He even found distant family for one family – in fact I had an email yesterday from a client who travelled with Roman some 15 years ago remembering him very well. Roman spent some time with us in Regent learning about the business from our side in 2009. He is with his wife and two small children (a 4 year old and a one year old) in Poland after spending half a night in a bomb shelter. His father and sister remain in Lviv. 

 

Collections

Regent staff are getting involved with collecting essential items for Polonia Dla Ukraina (Poland for Ukraine) – these local Facebook groups have set up various collection points in South Wales and Bristol area. If you are interested in donating please search to see if there is a group in your area.