Additional reporting by Jordyn Hyre

A nurse preparing to take in a Ukrainian mother and daughter has been moved by an outpouring of support from the community.

Heidi Whittaker, 28, has offered to house a mum and her four-year-old in her two-bed flat in Canterbury city centre, once they escape war-torn Ukraine.

She has since been bowled over by hundreds of generous donations, and offers of help from across the district.

Determined to help those affected by the Ukraine crisis, Heidi joined a Facebook group designed to help match refugees with hosts, which is where she spotted a post by a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman.

“I just messaged her saying ‘do you still need some help?’” she recalled.

“And she said ‘yes please, I really, really need your help’.”

Heidi had a quick video call with the woman and her daughter, and they have since been in contact every day, using Google Translate and swapping photos of their cats to help forge a friendship across hundreds of miles.

“Yesterday she said there were five air sirens, and the day before there were three,” said Heidi.

“So it seems to be getting a bit worse. She’s in the west of Ukraine and the fighting is happening in the city.

“Her brothers and her husband can’t leave because they’re fighting.”

Heidi has applied to the government’s scheme for those willing to house Ukrainian refugees, and has helped the mother apply for necessary visas.

“When those come in, she’s got a plan to get to the border, then she’ll jump on a flight from Poland and I’ll pick her up here at the airport,” said Heidi.

The psychiatric nurse says she is “nervous and a bit scared” at the prospect of sharing her home with strangers.

“But I’m not half as scared as how they must be feeling right now,” she said. “And that’s enough for me.”

Heidi has been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from the Canterbury community on social media.

One woman has generously donated a child’s bed for the little girl, while others have given toys, clothes, books, toiletries, and even three books of first class stamps.

A Whitstable cafe owner has invited the family for free cake and coffee once they are settled.

“A lady who speaks Ukrainian has agreed to come to the airport with me when they arrive,” added Heidi.

“There have even been people that don’t have anything, saying ‘when she’s settled, we can come to the park and be company for her and her daughter’.

“It’s so kind I just can’t believe it. I am so thrilled, grateful and proud.”

Meanwhile, Heidi is preparing to integrate the mother and daughter in her life.

“How involved they get with my family and friends is down to them, but the offer’s there,” she said.

“I’ve got a huge amount of friends who are already saying ‘we can take her here, show her that’.

“My family usually meets up twice a year at my grandparents’. I’ve already said we might have two extra guests at Christmas and at our gatherings.”

Heidi warns those interested in becoming hosts to be mindful of the personal information they publish online.

For more information on the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, visit its website.