A HEDGE End man and his pregnant wife have been reunited with family after fleeing Ukraine last month.
Tom Cox, 34, went to Ukraine in February ahead of his marriage to Daria Cox née Poleva, 31, who is from the country.
The Russian invasion put their impending nuptials on hold and the pair were forced to stay in Melitopol until an opportunity to leave arose.
READ MORE: Parents' anguish as son is stranded in Ukraine with pregnant wife
Charity Bridge to Unity helped the couple flee the country and they were reunited with concerned parents Lorraine and Dave Cox.
Mum to Tom, Lorraine says they are “so relieved” to have the pair back home.
She said: “We are so relieved; it’s been amazing to have them here.
“Bridge to Unity managed to get them out and brought them home, they drove Tom and Daria from the airport and delivered them to our door.
“They had quite a horrible journey from Melitopol. What would normally take one and a half hours took four.
“It was horrendous, there were mines left in the road, so they were taking quite a big risk.
“And they went through about five or six Russian checkpoints which was scary. Tom and Daria were very lucky to get through.”
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Tom and Daria made it to the train station in Zaporizhzhia and endured a long journey to Kovel before catching another train to Poland.
It was there the pair received news that Daria’s visa was granted and Dave immediately booked a flight to bring them home.
Lorraine said: “It was a horrible feeling knowing they had to go through all of that.
“It was scary as we were seeing all these things on the TV but thank God they made it through ok.
“We have got them with us and it’s brilliant. It’s really good news, especially when you see what’s been happening.
“Bridge to Unity were so helpful and brilliant.”
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