In April I bought a ferry ticket and a 4-Wheel Drive, filled it with equipment, medical and other humanitarian aid and drove it to Ukraine
There I saw with my own eyes the difference that even we small people can make.
But like most people, I've felt quite powerless. Useless. But I also knew that many are losing limbs, suffering life-changing injuries. And dying. And felt I must do SOMETHING.
Arriving on 24th April, I sheltered from a drone attack. No one was killed that night.
I visited a cemetery – in a comparatively 'un-bombed' town in West Ukraine - that is overflowing with the graves of over 1500 people, killed defending their homes.
I shed tears with a woman at her son’s grave.
I saw weeping, grieving brothers and sisters, widows and parents of those killed. And wondered at the idiocy of those who perpetrate this crime, against people like you and me.
And I was emotionally affected by the roadside pedestrians - young and old - who cheered and waved when they saw UK number plates. Childishly, I felt special. They were cheering me. ME!
But, prior to my trip, I had doubts that my donations may be 'lost' to the Ukraine black-market equivalent of the Private Walkers (Dad's Army) of this world. So I funded this delivery journey myself.
Before going I connected with the charity - Pick-ups-For-Peace - who’ve enabled 26 previous vehicle and aid deliveries.
P4P began 3 years ago.
I’m in absolutely no doubt about the charity’s integrity of dealing and good motives, to enable people like us to channel goodwill to where it's most needed.
NO paid staff! All volunteers.
And the aid we take is essential.
Thus I feel that I can legitimately ask others who feel as I do to donate as well.
So I've committed to two further trips this year and hopefully four.
But I will need your serious help. Please?
Right now, there are four absolute priorities:- Electric Generators (start at £1600), Powerbanks (from £20 to about £140) and of course, 4-wheel drive vehicles. Off-road tyres can cost £460 per pair. But I do realise that for many of us in 2026, times are really difficult. Finances are tight. Though for now, we do live in comparative peace.
But Europe is a small space and Ukraine is effectively our doorstep-neighbour.
This war cannot be lost. Will you help? And be as generous as you can?
