Classic Collection’s Si Morris-Green on why he wanted to host Ukrainian refugees
Former MemberClassic Collection’s Si Morris-Green has said he is looking forward to opening his doors to two Ukrainian refugees after becoming one of the first British families to sign up to the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Speaking to TTG at Classic Collections’ debut awards and conference in Birmingham the director of agency sales and marketing said he had been left "heartbroken" watching the conflict unfold over the past three weeks. After learning about the government’s Homes for Ukraine programme he went online to explore how he could help.
Morris-Green and his husband signed up to the Accommodation, Help & Shelter for Ukraine Facebook page and were matched with Niyara Mamontova and her seven-year-old daughter Eleanora.
“We’re currently looking at schools and what our local community can offer them. As soon as they’re here we can get them settled in,” he told TTG.
Morris-Green added he had chatted with mother Niyara about the logistics and was expecting to receive a link from the government this week to begin the visa process, which he will fill in and submit on their behalf.
However he was disappointed by the amount of red tape attached to the process, revealing he had still not received any information as to when the pair would be allowed to fly.
“There are no clear guidelines, in terms of when the visa will be accepted and the pair will be over. This process began four weeks ago, there needs to be less red tape.”
Elsewhere Classic Collection’s new chief executive Oliver Garner also voiced support for Ukraine and said the company would match any funds raised by staff. This includes Morris-Green’s Come Dine With Me-style dinner party which is expected to raise £1,800 next month.
“We will effectively double the amount of any fund-raising that staff do,” Garner said. “It’s about the autonomy of staff – a lot of them want to do things personally, and we want to encourage them and give them the platform to do that.”
Donate to the TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal
A free and open travel industry has always been a driver of democracy across the globe. TTG is urging the UK and Ireland travel industry to raise urgent funds for the thousands of Ukrainian refugees driven out of their homes by this war.
All funds collected by the TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal will go directly to The Ukraine Crisis Appeal run by the British Red Cross, which supports those most affected.
We thank each and every one of you who is able to contribute.
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