*UPDATED*
THE bus of evacuated women and children from Ukraine is expected to reach Valencia in the early hours of Monday morning.
The bus, carrying 43 refugees, was chartered by the Valencia-based foundation Juntos Por la Vida, and is carrying around 30 children accompanied by mothers, aunts and grandmothers. There are no men as all Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 have to remain to defend their country.
According to reports from press agency, Europa Press, the bus reached the Ukrainian border with Poland in the small hours of Saturday morning, where they were able to get something warm to eat and have a rest.
President of the foundation Clara Arnal, travelled to Poland where she welcomed the women and children. Speaking to Europa Press she said: “They are very tired and very much looking forward to reaching Spain.”
Most of the youngsters already have a link with Valencia as they have taken part in summer fostering programmes which the foundation has been organising for the past 25 years, and they will be staying with families who have previously hosted Ukrainian children.
Juntos Por la Vida relies solely on its own funds and individual donations. Anyone wanting to donate can do so via their website http://www.juntosporlavida.org
See the moment when the bus arrived safely in valencia.
The Valencia Report 