Background:

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The invasion became the largest attack on a European country since World War II. It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. By June 2022, Russian troops occupied about 20% of Ukrainian territory. From a population of 41 million in January 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Extensive environmental damage caused by the war, widely described as an ecocide, contributed to food crises worldwide.

During World War II my Great Grandma (Baba) Anna was forced to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing war. She was forced to leave her place of birth Kyiv and after a dangerous journey across Europe she settled in Stalybridge in Greater Manchester. As a child I have memories of her eating borscht (A Ukrainian dish) and her storing ancient jars of pickles in the cellar! The time has come again, and Ukraine has been torn apart by war displacing many civilians, some have again moved to the UK to seek refuge.

The Mission:

As a civilian, it is tough to watch something like this happen on TV and feel powerless in not being able to help those suffering. That is why I have put myself forward as a volunteer with Convoy4Ukraine. We deliver 4x4s and humanitarian aid to Ukraine - but we believe in more than that. We want to make everyday people aware of just how big of an impact they can make and provide a way for them to achieve it. We set up the logistics, humanitarian aid networks, and source the vehicles.

Between 16th September 2024 - 20th September 2024 Kayleigh and I will form part of a convoy starting off in Shropshire, travelling through Belgium, Germany and Poland leading onto Ukraine. We will drive into Ukraine and deliver the vehicles to local people who use them for various purposes during the war. Humanitarian aid will also be delivered. We will then travel back to the UK via Poland.

The target is £2000 to purchase a 4x4 vehicle, any money left over will be used to purchase aid on the way/other items that the people of Ukraine have requested.

I would appreciate the assistance of all my friends, family, and colleagues in making this happen. It would mean a lot to be able to directly assist Ukraine and its brave people.

https://www.convoy4ukraine.com/