Fundraiser launched to repatriate Ukrainian Refugee who sadly passed away in Derry

Inna Shevchenko and her daughter, Karolina, arrived in Derry as refugees in April 2022. While settling in, Inna received treatment for a brain tumour from the NHS.

Inna often described the people of the city as welcoming and generous and now, people are living up to these sentiments by organising a fundraiser to bring her body home after she sadly passed away.

Francesca Giacomini hosted the family here throughout their stay. Francesca said: “I met Inna once at an English Language exhibition in Berlin back in 2018 and she left a really good impression on me. 

"We stayed in touch and when the war broke out, Inna had just completed surgery on removing a brain tumor.

“We all know that her home city, Kharkiv, was attacked by Russia and she found herself in a terrible situation. Me and my family worked very hard to bring Inna to Derry and she was the first here under the Home for Ukraine Refugees Scheme.

"We hoped that Inna could enjoy her three years here under the scheme and hopefully return to her home in better times."

Sadly, last week, on November 24, Inna tragically passed away from the tumor, with a fundraiser now launched to bring Inna back to Ukraine to be buried.

Francesca continued: "The NHS did a fantastic job, however her brain tumour returned during her chemotherapy and her time was cut very short.

"Inna was a wonderful woman who only wanted the best for her daughter. She loved life and our family won’t forget her.

"She has a great network of friends and family in Kharkiv who have been praying for her throughout her battle for cancer. Even as war rages they all would want her home to pay their respects.

"Inna was so thankful to the people of Derry for helping her. She featured on BBC Radio Foyle a number of times highlighting the war in Ukraine and encouraging other families to come forward and help. 

"Many families heard this appeal in the press and media and her intervention probably led to many families coming forward."

During Inna's time in Derry, she spoke passionately about the plight of the Ukrainian people, and encouraged families to help others in her situation. 

She also spoke proudly alongside the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Sandra Duffy, on August 24 for the Independence Day of Ukraine.

Sandra Duffy shared: “I am heartbroken for Inna and her family, I had the pleasure of meeting Inna and talking with her, she was vibrant and passionate about her country and remained positive even with everything she had endured and was facing with her illness. I hope we can get Inna home to her final resting place as was her wish.”

Since the fundraiser was launched, over half of the £15,000 goal has been raised; a sign of the impact Inna made through her bravery in the face of such adversity.

The fundraiser will help Inna's daughter Karolina to bring her home to be buried in her city with her friends and family, as this was her wish. 

Francesca added: "She was a beautiful, proud, Ukrainian woman whose last eight months have been totally disrupted by the war. Help us to get her home for her friends and family to pay their respects and show their loss for Inna."

You can support the fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-take-inna-remains-back-to-warturn-ukraine