5 good news stories we all need to read after another weekend of horrible headlines. – Mamamia


It's been a heavy weekend of news. 
Around our dining tables, in our group chats and in our local community, we're all feeling it. Those who are directly affected exorbitantly worse than others, of course. 
On Saturday, we learnt about the passing of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, after the 52-year-old died from a suspected heart attack in Thailand. 
Russia's invasion of Ukraine continued to make headlines, and closer to home, rescue and recovery efforts are still underway for Queensland and NSW residents devastated by floods. It's a lot – all at once. 
As events continue to unfold, we decided to round up five good news stories to bring a bit of light to what's going on right now. 
As thousands continue to flee from Ukraine, parents in Poland have come to the aid of mothers escaping with their children. 
In a post shared by photojournalist, Francesco Malavolta, people have left prams lined with blankets on a train station platform in Poland for mothers entering the country. 
Passeggini lasciati in stazione per le donne in arrivo dall'Ucraina con neonati. ❤️
Foto copyright F.Malavolta#RussiaUkraineConflict #ukraine #WWIII #photojournalism pic.twitter.com/rlmXzqkIN0
More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have fled the country in the last 10 days alone, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, confirmed.
According to The Guardian, nearly 548,000 people have fled to Poland.
Hundreds of people around the world are booking Airbnb accommodation in Ukraine with no intention of visiting, as a way to directly donate to residents caught up in the conflict. 
The global trend, which has spread on social media, has seen over 61,000 nights booked in Ukraine, which is expected to deliver $US 1.9 million into the pockets of those in need. 
In response, Airbnb have dropped their guest and host fees for Ukraine and announced they would offer free, temporary housing for up 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. 
In 48 hours, 61,406 nights have been booked in Ukraine. That's $1.9M going to Hosts in need

Such a cool idea from our community. Thank you https://t.co/MEitgKB5Eo
HOW TO HELP – just booked a Kiev AirBnb for 1 week, simply as a means of getting money directly into the hands of Kiev residents. It's really cheap and can make a small difference right now. Please share this idea #Ukraine #Russia #StopWarInUkraine #StopPutinNOW #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/7yQDLYRkph
However, while the initiative has been praised as an easy way to directly help those who are suffering, some have warned to keep a lookout for potential scammers.  
Closer to home, a group of Fijian workers and members of Melbourne's Sikh community are among hundreds of civilians who are helping rescue and recovery efforts amid NSW and Queensland's devastating floods. 
In Lismore, 45 Fijian abattoir workers, who recently arrived in northern NSW, have been hailed as heroes after leading efforts to rescue 60 residents from a nursing home as the building was submerged underwater. 
The group of men have also been helping with clean-up, boat rescues and assisting in evacuation centres. 
Semi Sailosi Lutua, one of the volunteers, told the ABC they found those who needed help through a local Facebook flood support group. 
"We just told locals we’re here and we could help out," he told the publication. 
"I was going down in the boats with mates grabbing all the people. It’s so sad man, seeing all the water everywhere.
"We go from rescues here [in Lismore] back to the evacuation centre … We stayed up late until 2am the other night just to help out in the evacuation centre to help people out."
A group of Fijian abattoir workers have assisted SES volunteers during the evacuation of a #Lismore nursing home today.

More than 60 elderly residents were rescued from their homes after becoming stranded in rising floodwaters.

For the latest: https://t.co/wfir48zdpD #9ACA pic.twitter.com/mcrwj3zfBl
Members of Melbourne's Sikh community have travelling to Woolgoolga, south of Lismore, to hand out meals to those in need. 
"The feeling of community here is hard to describe," Jaswinder Singh, from Sikh Volunteers Australia, told the ABC. 
"This is my first time here [on the north coast] and I feel like I have been welcomed into a family."
Local communities at Lismore and Evans Head are expressing there gratitude in many ways towards SVA.Last night a young singer greet our team with almost 30 minutes of thanks giving songs.These memories,these moments will stay with us forever.Thanks unknown singer, thanks Everyone pic.twitter.com/im9Gy8iCsR
Tennis player Dayana Yastremska announced she will donate her prize money to help support her homeland Ukraine after being beaten in the final of the Lyon Open.
The 21-year-old and her 15-year-old sister, Ivanna, spent two nights sheltering in an underground car park from missile strikes in Ukraine before being sent to safety in France by their parents.
After losing the game on Sunday, Dayana, draped in a Ukrainian flag, announced "The prize money I earned here I'm going to give to the Ukrainian foundation to support the Ukraine.
"And if Ukrainian people are watching me, I want to say you guys are so strong, you have an amazing spirit.
"You guys are so strong, you have an amazing spirit." 💙💛

🇺🇦 @D_Yastremska gives a message of support to her fellow Ukrainians. pic.twitter.com/RpunBPBwFT
"I try to fight for Ukraine. I want to say thanks to every single person from Ukraine for standing by the Ukraine and showing people that we have a really strong spirit."
Her opponent, China's Shuai Zhang, said, "Big congrats to Dayana and your team, working so hard. I know it is a big tough time for you but you are a fighter."
Last but not least, volunteers have been going above and beyond to help rescue pets and animals trapped in floodwater.
In Lismore, Mark O’Toole was reunited with his dog DJ last week after he fell into floodwaters during an emergency rescue. 
The border collie survived three nights alone in floodwaters at Bungawalbin as strangers led a social media campaign to find the beloved pet. 
After searching for six hours using a jet ski and a boat, O’Toole almost gave up. 
"I was outside yelling for DJ and after half an hour we thought we heard a dog howling," he told the ABC. 
"I was up to my chest in water looking. I'd actually given up, when I had a feeling and looked to my right.
"A black-and-white dog was sitting on top of a big pile of metal of what must have been a shed. It was DJ."
10 other dogs and six cats were also rescued. 
Mark O’Toole was separated from his dog DJ in the midst of being rescued from flash floods northern NSW. But in a miraculous turn of events, DJ has been found! Click here to discover the full story: https://t.co/DMixeT8O9L #Studio10 #DJ #MissingDog #FamilyReunion #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/FdZ5m9N3tG
Elsewhere in NSW, locals have taken up some creative methods to save cattle from floodwater. 
Local legends saving cattle from the Richmond River in #Ballina @nbnnews @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/1kouZaYPB3
Watch the video of a brave woman herding cattle in trapped in floodwaters to safety in her kayak. #kyogle #NSWFloods https://t.co/DWkPMrnjhI pic.twitter.com/1qvk9HkHia
If you've seen some good news doing the rounds, let us know in the comments below. 
Feature Image: Ten/Nine/Twitter@MalavoltaF

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