In May 2022 David and myself carried out an aid trip to Szczecin in North West Poland to deliver donations of clothing, sanitary products, personal hygiene goods and baby items including nappies to a Ukrainian health centre. The centre distributes food, clothing and other items directly to those that have fled Ukraine and have nothing left at all.

On the day we arrived in Szczecin over 300 women and children had already been through the doors in order to receive aid. What was most telling was that there were no men present...they were all at home fighting for their country. What we saw there broke our hearts....and we have vowed to help do more.

The centre is desperate for food as the shelves were nearly empty, it is something that all aid organisations are crying out in need of, not only for those who are fleeing the invasion, but also for those who have already reached safety but need to survive.

David and myself have now been joined by John Ashmore, another local business owner, and our aim is to try and organise a convoy of vehicles in order to deliver as much food aid as possible to the Health Centre in Szczecin where it is given directly to those who need it. Once the funds have been raised then we will plan the trip which takes around 4 days and covers 1900 miles. Departing from Uttoxeter we take the Euro Tunnel to Calais then spend the next few days driving through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and then into Poland to carry out the drop off.

All three of us have pledged donations from our own companies and pockets to help fund this trip and we already have the backing of other major companies too. We will also be making contact with various large organisations in order to secure food donations. We will be looking to secure food that is long life, easy to prepare and light to carry (due to weight limits on the vans.)

Money raised covers the cost of fuel, transportation, accommodation and other necessary expenses to make sure the trip is completed effectively and safely. We aim to have the trip completed by September which allows us as much time as possible to raise maximum donations and hopefully get more drivers and vehicles on board.

The more we raise, the more we can deliver.

Thank you for any help and support you can offer.

David, John and Chris.