Witnessing the deadly impacts of the Russian attacks on Ukraine in December 2024 had a profound impact on Simon Doyle.
The Coffs Harbour principal flew to south-eastern Ukraine last year, to volunteer with Hopefull, a UK mobile charity serving pizzas to civilians displaced by the ongoing war.
Simon spoke to Newsworthy’s Ebony Casagrande about what he saw, the Ukrainians’ sense of community and their ongoing fight to maintain their language and cultural identity.
"[They're] really proud of their culture and their heritage. I guess when someone's trying to take it away, it only strengthens it."
Related stories
Ebony Casagrande
Ebony is studying a Bachelor of Media and Arts at UNSW. She is passionate about independent journalism, and considers herself a hunter of stories and green tea. Nearly all of her books have been dropped in the ocean, but she doesn’t mind.
Vloggers revel in Afghan access as our women's rights are erased