FIRST UKRAINE AID MISSION OF THE YEAR SETS OFF FROM TEDDINGTON
Teddington’s humanitarian group Might Convoy set off early today on its TWENTY FIRST mission carrying one tonne of food supplies as well as urgent medical aid.
Eight people including organiser Simon Brake, from Teddington, will take in turns with the driving which is a expected to be disrupted by snow as the ambulance and two pick up trucks get close to Lviv in Ukraine.
The volunteer crew includes friends Stephen Ryder, aged 69 from Wiltshire and Winkie Fry from Bruton in Somerset, who helped to raise £7000 for the 1200 miles drive through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland and finally Ukraine.
They will be taking one tonne of venison food pouches donated by the Country Food Trust (www.countryfoodtrust.org) and the company’s CEO SJ Hunt is joining the convoy for her fourth trip and 150 medical kits.
The vehicles are left in Ukttaine where local military commanders and charities will decide how best they can be deployed on the frontline or to support civilians.
Uliana Kovalyshyn, who is the manager of the Warehouse Project at the Christian Medical Association (CMA) in Ukraine has been in Teddington helping Simon co-ordinate the latest trip which will mean Mighty Convoy has sent 89 vehicles in Ukraine.
Uliana told Teddington Town before setting off today: “The vehicles provided by Mighty Convoy are a chance to save as many soldiers’ lives as possible. We suffer heavy losses, but there are people who truly care. Our lives and our victory matter to them, and that comes at a great cost. Thanks to this support, we are becoming faster and stronger.
“Partnership with Mighty Convoy is not just about delivering ambulances and pick-up vehicles.
“It is about thousands of lives saved — the lives of Ukrainian defenders who are bravely protecting Ukraine from Russian invading forces.
“In times of darkness and evil, we feel the strong shoulder and helping hand of our partners. This gives us strength not to give up and reminds us that we are not alone in this fight. We are deeply grateful for the support and unwavering position of the people of the United Kingdom.”