Run 09 – 3-18 October 2022
After an epic drive across Europe from Weeze to Uzhhrod we had may issues on our border crossing on the Slovak side which then resulted in problems entering Ukraine. We left Weeze just after 02:00 and arrived at the border approximately 21:00. We then spent nearly eight hours crossing the border arriving at our donated apartment just before 06:00 in the morning! This left us running behind but we certainly needed a comfortable place to sleep after our 28 hour day. We then travelled north to Lviv and the deliveries began.
Sadly due to family circumstances we had to cut our stay short and return a little earlier than first anticipated.
We did however, cement new contacts and it is our intention to work closely with our friends both here in the UK and in Ukraine to maximise our impact in helping those that need it most.
Last trip saw us not only transport a 4×4 vehicle over for UK Aid For Ukraine but also deliver valuable medical and surgical aid to our friends Steel Ray in Lviv. Once in Lviv we re loaded our van and continued on to Irpin where the 4×4 was delivered and then after further preparation this vehicle is now being used by the Ukrainian military on the front line in the Kherson area.
We then delivered the contents of our van to a lovely lady Marina in Brovary to the north east of Kyiv who distributes essential family packs to new arrivals who have fled the frontlines and come with nothing. These people have lost everything and although they do eventually get help from the Ukrainian government this can take some time.
Marina works very closely with our friends Help Ukraine BAMK who we have worked with right from the start and we intend to continue this collaboration as together we are extremely efficient.
Marina has told me that she could achieve more if she had the means to transport aid further down country and this is something we will be looking to assist her with on our next trip. The problem is many are afraid to travel for fear of shelling and missile attacks.
We managed to deliver on the 11th October to the animal sanctuary as we planned so we were thankful for that. Sadly there have been more strikes today and It appears Lviv was hit again in the same place as yesterday.
Finally thanks are due to Annie Hockham and Karl Harrison for their assistance on this last run and to Andy Den for his hospitality during our stay.
Images from Independence Square and the bridge at Irpin:
