Hi All,
Leon has kindly let me post this report about the aid convoys I have been involved with taking aid to Poland and the Ukraine.
I have been involved with sending and taking humanitarian aid to those in need for many years. Recently I was asked to assist in taking aid to Poland and Ukraine by Aid Ukraine Direct. The organisation seeks to respond directly to those in desperate need. They work with local contacts so that there are no middlemen and the aid gets quickly to where it is needed.
The first trip was organised in under a week, we left at 2 am on Monday morning and took the ferry across from Calais. The convoy consisted of three 7.5 tonne lorries and a van with 8 drivers. Driving in shifts and sleeping in the cab we got to South-East Poland late on Tuesday evening. We delivered much needed food, clothing and sleeping bags to three separate places that were helping around 800 refugees on a daily basis. The refugees were being housed in people's homes, on church floors and in a Sports Centre.
Church converted to a dormitory Two pews made into bed
(https://i.imgur.com/cjeehuC.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/wxajtr2.jpg)
We also visited a refuge for traumatised women and children, buying beds and bedding so they did not have to sleep on the floor. We found they needed further assistance with converting a barn into accommodation so they could help more families.
Me in the Cab Refugees at the refuge Converting the Barn
(https://i.imgur.com/7DxKrt8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/tMoeEtQ.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/2qyYHU0.jpg)
At the refuge, we met a Pastor who was involved in getting aid directly into Ukraine to Kharkiv and beyond. His volunteers often had to wear flak jackets and brave Russian sniper fire to deliver the aid. Supporting people like this is one of the key aims of the organisation.
From talking to the Pastor we quickly identified urgent needs in the eastern part of Ukraine where most of the fighting was taking place. Primarily the need was for water filters as people had no running water and they were collecting water from puddles, ponds or wherever they could find it. The second need was for power to charge mobile phones.
From this I was asked to lead a second trip to take water filters, generators, charging equipment and food. We took two 4x4s with 3.5-tonne trailers. This load cost over £40,000 nearly half of which was the 700 water filters, that can filter any filthy water and make it drinkable.
Water filters in the Trailer Trailer two full of food
(https://i.imgur.com/6oH87DD.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/nN6WB0H.jpg)
We were asked by our Polish friends to accompany them across the border to deliver the aid to those who would take it into Kharkiv. At the border checkpoint, I was stopped for extra checks. Working out what I needed to do and who to speak to, with border guards who spoke no English and all signage in a Cyrillic alphabet was a challenge, to say the least. After 5 hours I was finally through to meet up with the rest of the convoy. While we were unloading the reality of the seriousness of the situation was brought home when two missiles struck a nearby base.
My vehicle ready to go Waiting at The Border
(https://i.imgur.com/KV5IwkM.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/UO4JgZ1.jpg)
Ukranian Truck Loaded While we were loading two missiles landed
(https://i.imgur.com/kRC0jCM.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/w3hLj3l.jpg)
Due to the situation travel in Ukraine is far safer by day, so the trucks taking our aid further in have to stop as soon as it gets dark, but three days later I received videos from our Ukrainian friends of our aid being unloaded in Kharkiv.
Unloading in Kharkiv
(https://i.imgur.com/840WY3b.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/ORAByXu.jpg)
I have been asked to lead a further trip around the end of June, the beginning of July, but the current situation is constantly changing, so any plans have to be very fluid. They are also reliant on getting enough donations to fund the trips.
To find out more or make a donation, take a look at our web page.
https://www.aidukrainedirect.org/
Hello Orcs
Thank you very much for your help, it has been upsetting to see some of the streets I've walked down, smashed by missiles, bombs, etc. Fortunately most people I know in the north have surfaced without major injuries. Including a septuagenarian soviet Afghan war veteran who says the dodging around to get water and carry it up seven floors took years off him :) .
I'm channelling my aid through local funds but I'm commending any people to give what they can to your web page.
Слава Україні
Слава героям
Слава помічникам
(https://acegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/4hv9xm/ukrainian-waving-flag-1.gif)
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Bravo Zulu with bells on. Very interesting post. Please keep us informed.
Well done!
But also, stay safe!
Well done to all involved!
Hear, hear.
Excellent
Well done! Great that you are getting out there and doing something positive for so many people.
Well done to all involved
Stay as safe as you can Orcs
Very well done. =D> =D>
Cheers Paul
Wonderful work.
Bit surprised though by the large "cut" that GoFundMe ask for.
QuoteWonderful work.
Bit surprised though by the large "cut" that GoFundMe ask for.
They don't take any cut automatically - You should be able to set a voluntary "tip" of between 0% and 30% tho depending on if you want to keep them going or hope other people will - I was about to add a screenshot with the donation page admin tip slider but I can't work out how!
Nice one Orcs. 8) so impressed people will do this sort of thing.
Quote from: DecemDave on 10 May 2022, 07:53:38 AMWonderful work.
Bit surprised though by the large "cut" that GoFundMe ask for.
Thanks for your generous donation.
I must admit until you said this, I did not know what percentage the Go Fund me site was asking for, as any donations I have made direct. Your right, It is pushing the boundary somewhat
Thank you all for your interest and donations, I will keep you informed. My biggest problem on doing he trips is fitting them in with working shifts. Obviously the trips cannot revolve around me being avaliable.
Outstanding, Mark. =D> =D> =D>
Best wishes,
Davy
[Edit: donation now made]
This is fantastic Mark, well done.
WELL DONE SIR!