L.A. man planning journey to help mother, sister escape Ukraine

As hundreds of thousands of individuals flee Ukraine, Jake Renner is making an attempt to get contained in the war-torn nation to rescue his mother and sister.

His mom, 70-year-old Valentina, and his sister, 46-year-old Marina, are the 2 most necessary individuals in his life, Renner says.

He hasn’t seen them in ten years as a result of they stay in Kyiv the place Jake grew up. Regardless of the continued invasion by Russian forces, they nonetheless name the Ukraine capital house.

“Time is working out,” Renner stated of the dire state of affairs his family members discover themselves in. “They don’t have any medication, they don’t have any meals, they’re bunkered in. They’re two outdated women which can be unable to handle themselves. My mother can’t even transfer round.”

Renner stated each his mom and sister have endured a number of well being points.

His mother had surgical procedure for most cancers and his sister has had two open hear surgical procedures, Renner stated.

“I’ve to go get my mother bodily as a result of she’s not in a position to stroll. I’ve to carry her hand or transport her within the wheelchair.”

Regardless of each day Russian airstrikes, neither wish to go away the town the place they’ve constructed their complete lives, so Jake goes to get them.

“I’m promoting all of my belongings, my automotive and my laptop,” Renner stated. “I’ve a number of routes… I’ve coyotes. Everyone’s on standby.”

It will likely be a dangerous journey which Renner stated will embody traversing by snow, forest, mountains and, most harmful of all, a conflict zone.

Renner plans to doc the journey with a movie crew. He stated he’s not even entertaining the concept that his mission will fail, however he’s asking for bravery and any funds that might assist together with his rescue operation.

No matter whether or not or not he can get sufficient funds to finish the journey safely, he says he’s going to make it occur and he hopes his story will encourage others.

“I’m ready to do that journey whether or not I get the funds or not,” Renner stated. “I can converse and I can combat with my phrases. That’s what I intend to do.”

Renner has a GoFundMe account for anybody thinking about donating to assist him alongside the way in which. To donate, click on right here.