AN EAST Lothian refugee who fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine with her child is heading back to her country to help boost people's morale as the war continues.

Tetiana Hurn, who painted the mural at the east end of North Berwick High Street, recently came back from Ukraine after a six-month stint empowering young people with art. This was funded by Rotary clubs in North Berwick and Edinburgh.

The 40-year-old painted the mural in September and initially lived with her son in North Berwick, where she created the mural as a thank you to the Scottish people, before moving to Musselburgh.

Tetiana is currently visiting Scotland with the plan to head back to her home town of Zhmerynka next week, where she is planning to create more works of art to boost morale and empower young people.

The Courier caught up with Tetiana and discussed what she had been up to in the past six months; and what she was planning to do after her three-day journey back to Ukraine.

Tetiana has spent a lot of time empowering young people in her home town of Zhmerynka with her skills in art

She said: "I felt a call to go back to Ukraine and, when I returned to Ukraine in November, the economic, social and cultural effect had been huge and there was a mixture of feelings in regard to the war.

"I realised I was in the right place with my nation and my family to make a positive impact to the young people who have been impacted by the war, with the use of art. The damage and effect of the war on society in Ukraine is dreadful.

"I found that a lot of children and young people would stay inside a lot of the time with no joy or hope of the war ending, and I have used my artistic skills to bring them together to generate positivity in my hometown."

The town of Zhmerynka is in the mid-western area of Ukraine; Tetiana tells us it was relatively safe when she left.

Tetiana is heading back to Ukraine next week and, during her six-month stint, created a number of murals

This town was far from the frontline of the fighting but Tetiana is becoming more and more worried about the safety of her family due to military progress by Russia.

She said: "When I left, it was relatively safe but, after two years of war, the area where my town is is getting closer and closer to the fighting."

But this is not stopping Tetiana from returning to her Home town.

She is planning to paint more murals in Zhmerynka with young children which will be funded by their local council.

Tetiana will be leaving on Tuesday.