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ndrew Bone had been working as a vehicle motorist the
Global Committee associated with Red Cross
in 1993, dispersing as well as medication to war-torn aspects of Bosnia. At the end of the season, he flew to Sarajevo to pay for for the next employee. «It was a desperate scenario to fly into,» he states. «I became whisked upright on organization’s head office in a bullet-proof land-rover.» This is where he identified Tanja Todorovic the very first time. «I got this rise of adrenaline. I simply felt that I got to access understand the lady. It sounds like a silly fairytale but it is genuine.»

At that time, Tanja ended up being working as a you a senior policeman for the foundation. Andrew got the opportunity to speak to the woman precisely once they were sent to deliver aid to property if you have learning handicaps. «Andy was actually therefore kind to people just who existed truth be told there,» states Tanja. «he had been handsome also. All of this long, blonde, frizzy hair. It really is all eliminated now, of course,» she laughs.

Shortly afterward, Tanja needed to head to soft for a work purpose and asked Andrew to-be the woman motorist. «the trail right back ended up being shelled although we are there,» he states. «We ended up being forced to spend the night in soft. We had drinks together and that’s the night time that individuals began all of our connection.»

Two weeks later, Andrew’s cover came to a finish in which he had been sent back to Zagreb. «I found myself distraught. I went along to radio stations space and begged the providers so that me consult with their.» They told him it actually was impossible. «in the course of time though they stated these people were nipping on for coffee and I happened to be able to find hold of Tanja to share with their we liked the girl.»

Soon afterward, Tanja visited Zagreb in order to meet Andrew. «I experienced a Red Cross passport, which designed I found myself able to travel from the combat zone,» she describes. They discussed the continuing future of their commitment and whether Tanja should go back to Sarajevo. They realized they wished to be with each other and had large choices to manufacture.

The specific situation was challenging because of the proven fact that these were both hitched during the time. «My marriage wasn’t working-out and Tanja had been separated but it was hard,» says Andrew. «Back then, Britain was sympathetic to refugees from Bosnia, so we determined it would be best to come here and become together, off the combat.»

Tanja applied for asylum together with set had the ability to marry at the conclusion of 1994, once their particular divorces were finalised. «I then got long leave to be and also in 1999 i obtained my personal Brit citizenship,» she claims.

Within the next 10 years, they moved across the UK, residing Norfolk, London, Leicester and Scotland. Andrew persisted working as a truck driver, while Tanja obtained numerous roles such as working for the
Refugee Council
and unveiling an organic fruit and vegetable store in Leicester.

In 2004, she returned to college to train as a nurse in addition to pair moved to London. However, they eventually realised these people weren’t prepared to end checking out. «From 2009 to 2019, we travelled around the British by-boat, moving from place to spot,» states Tanja. They worked once they had a need to and liked their nomadic life style.

Whenever Andrew turned into ill with disease eighteen months before, they transferred to a long-term base in Dumbarton, Scotland. «I believe really fortunate getting had these wonderful attention as a result of the NHS. I got some surgical procedure before lockdown plus they now believe i’m cancer-free,» he says. Tanja still is working as a nurse, plus the pair have now been taking pleasure in every day walks with each other. «We love the country right here,» states Tanja. «When it’s safe, we will get back to walking within the Highlands.»

It has been 26 decades because they met, but Andrew says he could be a lot more in love than in the past. «she actually is my best friend and my personal every little thing. Nothing has changed for me considering that the time we came across.» Tanja seems alike. «satisfying each other has-been certainly life-changing. It is the smartest thing that is actually happened for either people.»

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