We are all aware of the terrible events unfolding in the Ukraine, and I am hoping, with your help, we can do something to help these people access safe and loving homes.

Having already travelled to Poland to deliver much needed supplies, I have seen first hand that these families need help now. Whilst there, we were asked if we would be willing to take six refugees, a grandmother, two mothers and three young girls along with their beloved pets, a cat and a dog to a host family in Frankfurt, Germany.

The desperation and fear in the eyes of these women and girls was heart-breaking. I couldn’t say no, who could? However, as they approached the Landrover to begin their journey, I was close to breaking down but I needed to be strong, as these families were.

We journeyed for three hours in silence, the families deep in thought as to what their life would look like for the foreseeable future, without their men-folk, who stayed behind to fight.

I felt very lucky to have Adam, my co-driver, alongside me. He is Polish and was able to converse with the refugees and put them at ease – without him I would not have been able to do this.

We stopped for some food and a rest. However, the grandmother of the group went missing. We were all very worried, frantic even. I went to look for her and found her not too far away with her head bowed. As I approached, I heard a heart-rendering sob of pure despair and hopelessness. All I could do was to hug her tight and assure her that we would get her to a safe and loving home. That was a moment that I will never forget.

This is why I want to, need to, raise the money to purchase a minibus. These people need supplies, yes. But more importantly, they need transportation to safer countries – this is a priority and must be done directly, and no, not the Cornish ‘dreckly’, now.

Thank you for reading this, I sincerely hope that we can help, and I know that raising money to buy a mini bus will be the help that these people need at this time.

And, if you are able to, thank you for donating.

#vanforlife