A Brit buys a £100,000 three-bedroom house to give to a Ukrainian refugee family

Jamie Hughes bought the £100,000 three-bedroom home in Wrexham, Wales after deciding that remodeling an annexe in his own home would take too long and the family could move in as early as April 10

A Brit has bought a three-bedroom house in Wrexham for £100,000 for a refugee family forced to flee the brutal ongoing war in Ukraine.

Jamie Hughes made the extraordinary gesture for Maria and her sons, aged 10, 12 and 14, after the family were forced to flee Ukraine when “bombs went off 10 miles from their home”.

Mr Hughes connected with the family two weeks ago after taking to social media to offer to sponsor refugees escaping violence.

It is hoped that the family of four will be able to move into the property by April 10 if their visas are confirmed in time and locals help prepare it for their arrival for the time being.

Mr Hughes, who started working at a telecoms company when he was 21, said it was “absolutely devastating to watch millions of people flee – the bombs went off” and decided to help.

He considered building an extension to his own home to offer to a refugee family, but soon found that the conversion would have taken about two years and was too cramped and lacking in privacy.

However, after touring empty properties in Wrexham, he decided to make an offer which was then accepted. BBC News reported.

Maria, who is currently in western Ukraine with her children, said she “can’t believe it” and told Mr Hughes he was “so nice”. She told him “You’ve done enough” when he also offered her money to flee the war-torn country.

The family is currently on their way to a refugee camp in Poland where they can register as refugees in the UK.

Family friend Julie Simkins said the community had been “absolutely amazing” in their efforts to prepare the home through a Facebook group called Wrexham and Ukraine United.

She added, “They’ve gathered to help with donations and are ready to give a hug to her and the boys.”

She thanked the donated sofas, beds, washing machines and fridges and freezers: “We’re pretty good at furnishing the whole house now”.

Mr Hughes said Maria, who has worked in anesthesia at a Ukrainian hospital, will be put in touch with people at the local hospital to discuss employment opportunities when she arrives in the UK.