Host raises funds to send Ukrainian refugee's body home
BBCThe host of a Ukrainian refugee who died in Cornwall is raising money to return his body to be buried in his home country.
Jennifer Burnett said Dmytro (Dima) Tipakov, 32, died on 24 February from complications due to a pre-existing condition.
Ms Burnett, who lives in Mevagissey, said Mr Tipakov's family want him to be buried in Ukraine.
She said he had lived with her since he arrived in the UK in December 2022.
Ms Burnett said people in Mevagissey would remember Mr Tipakov as the "man who was always smiling".
"He was very kind, always smiling, always happy," she said.
Ms Burnett said he moved in with her through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme after the invasion.
She said he was eligible to move due to his pre-existing health condition.
Ms Burnett said he was happy when he started English classes and really settled in once he started working at a local restaurant.
'Send him home'
Ms Burnett said the final wish of Mr Tipakov's mother and brother was to say goodbye and bury him in Ukraine.
"I want to send him home because, as a mother, I cannot imagine sending my child off from a war-torn country for them to be safe, and to never see them again," she said.
"It is really important to me that I give him back to his mother."
She described the support and donations from people in Mevagissey as "amazing".
Luda Smith, English tutor at Cornwall College, said Mr Tipakov enjoyed attending her classes and being part of the county's Ukrainian community.
She said she taught English to Ukrainian refugees and would give advice to Mr Tipakov about life in the UK.
"There has been a really good community response," she said.
"We are all grieving and very sad about this news and it was a shock to all of us.
"Together we are helping to raise money for Dima."
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