Halifax-raised actor heading to Poland to help refugees fleeing Ukraine

A Halifax-raised actor is preparing for a new kind of role – volunteering on the ground of the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.  

An actor raised in Halifax is preparing for a new kind of role – volunteering on the ground of a humanitarian crisis.

Forbes March, who grew up in Halifax but currently lives in New York, is packing his bags and heading to Poland this week to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Since the war began just over two weeks ago, more than 2 million Ukrainians have fled their homes – the majority of them ending up in neighbouring Poland.

Forbes says he has been watching the war unfold through videos, adding that images he’s seen of women and children making long journeys to seek out safety have compelled him to take action.

“What they’re going through – I don’t know how you could not be affected by that,” he said.

March, who is in his 50s,  says he initially thought of fighting, but he feels too old and has no training in any sort of combat. Instead, he felt he could use his skills to help families who are escaping.

“I can do the most that I can do … I can go over there and bring a woman a cup of tea and a bowl of soup, maybe give her a chair, ‘sit down let me entertain your kids,’” said March.

The former Nova Scotian says he knows it’s not a lot but says there is a need for volunteers on the ground.