by Vik Peck | photo by Amanda Cribdon Photography –
Upon first introduction, Tom Comfort’s personality is misleading. Sitting in his carefully manicured garden that is tastefully decorated with his wife’s metal sculptures, the rounded South African lilt of the soft-spoken landscaper inspires a sense of serenity. But inside the calm exterior lies the heart of a warrior – one that has heard and responded to the call to arms to help the plight of those displaced by war in Ukraine.
Tom and his wife Karen Lancey have taken a stand – retiring, selling their house and relocating temporarily to Europe to help with the flood of Ukrainian refugees in nearby countries. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, approximately 6.5 million people have fled Ukraine to adjacent countries since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The first stop for Tom and Karen is to a relative in Germany who is already assisting in refugee efforts, and from there to Poland once they decide on the best way to apply their efforts and resources to the rapidly-changing humanitarian crisis.
While he looks forward to the opportunity to help refugees, Tom’s first instinct was to use his skills as a soldier to volunteer on the front line of the armed conflict. As a young man, Tom was conscripted to fight in the South African Border War in 1980, a war that ultimately led to the independence of Namibia from white-controlled South Africa. Tom quickly became disenchanted with fighting in a war he felt was unjust. “It was horrific. When I completed my conscription, I was very angry that I participated in a war that should never have happened,” says Tom. But while he resents the source of his soldiering skills, he felt that the war in Ukraine was an opportunity to use those skills for positive change.
Fighting with the Canadian Armed Forces in the region was not an option. Canada (along with several other countries) has expressly prohibited state-sponsored troops in Ukraine to avoid potential escalation. So, Tom applied for the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (aka the Ukrainian Foreign Legion), which was established at the request of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the Russian invasion.
Tom felt morally compelled to act in response to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “bully tactics,” particularly in regard to nuclear escalation. “If you don’t stand up to a man like that, you are at his mercy forever,” says Tom.
He remembers the moment he told his wife that he had volunteered for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. “When I told Karen that I had volunteered, I really thought she was going to leave me,” Tom laughs. “But she was immediately supportive.”
A month and several interviews later, Tom was informed that while deemed fit for service, he exceeded the age limit for the Legion. He admits this was a significant blow, but Karen was of a different opinion.
“I was overjoyed and relieved,” she says. “It affects our future and the things we were planning on doing together. To think about doing them with just me …” she breaks off, overcome with emotion.
Instead of being deterred, the couple decided to present a united effort to help Ukrainian refugees. As soon as they agreed on their course, several friends and clients came forward with donations to help with the humanitarian effort. Surprised and humbled by their trust, Tom and Karen intend to apply the funds directly and in-person to refugee assistance. Their current plan is to leave for Europe in early July once their house sale is final.
Tom Comfort and Karen Lancey have created a GoFundMe page (gofundme.com/tomkaren-for-Ukraine). You can also follow their journey on Instagram @metalmermaidwelding.
