We have managed to raise enough money through donations to purchase six 4x4 pickup trucks. Next Monday, 25th July, our team of 8 British and Ukrainian women we will be driving them from Bristol in the UK, to Lviv in Ukraine. Our vehicles will be going to the front lines where they are critically needed to replace those already blown up in the relentless attacks.

Having raised the funds for the vehicles themselves, we are still in need of another £4000 to fund the journey: the ferry crossing, petrol, basic accommodation enroute, car insurance and return journey for the drivers from Poland to the UK.

Without sufficient transportation the Ukrainian effort is hugely encumbered. As the road networks are badly damaged, these all-terrain vehicles are essential.

Our team have already successfully sent over £250,000 of urgently required lifesaving surgical equipment, wound dressings, and medicines to the hospitals in Eastern Ukraine for soldiers and civilians. This will be our first convoy of vehicles being donated.

We will be driving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland to reach the Ukrainian border, where the vehicles will be taken further, towards the front line for essential use

We will also be transporting other provisions which are desperately needed. This includes medications, sanitary products, toiletries and food provisions for the soldier’s ration packs. Even simple painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are in short supply.

It is also imperative that the soldiers volunteering to defend their country are given official uniforms to prevent them being mistaken as mercenaries. As is it an offence, under the Third Geneva Convention, to employ mercenaries in direct hostilities soldiers without clear lawful combatant status can be held as prisoners of war. As we have seen in the case of Paul Urey, the British mercenary who died while being held by Russian-Backed separatists, this situation could be very dangerous for many soldiers. Therefore uniforms offer a form of protection to the forces. For this reason, we will also be transporting 2000 army uniforms. These are needed to clothe the new recruits, to replace the soldiers already killed in this devastating war, and to help expand Ukraine’s forces more.

Any additional funds raised here will be used to buy more supplies to bring with us. We aim to have each and every little space in each of the vehicles packed with lifesaving and supporting supplies to make the trip as efficient as possible. Please help us reach this target as we carry out this mission next week. We know that times are difficult for many and lots of you have already donated and for this we are grateful. No matter how big or small, your donation and continued support here will make a difference. Please donate now.

Please also share this link directly with friends, family, colleagues and on social media. The more people we reach, the more we can do.

We’ll send a video diary of our trip and the vehicle’s destinations after they have arrived to those who donate.

A massive thank you from Marina, Andrea, Davina, Jo, Sharon and the team.