Swindon volunteers have travelled more than 1,700 miles to the border of Poland and Ukraine with second Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) owned van full of donations for those fleeing from the conflict.
SHAP, has been collecting donations for the people of Ukraine since the start of the war in Ukraine and are proud to announce that their second delivery (by van) has reached the border.
Prior to using smaller transit vans for deliveries SHAPS had sent 550 tonnes of aid to Ukraine, including sleeping bags and blankets, food, PPE, nappies, clothes, hospital supplies, pet food, toys and even musical instruments.
Previously the deliveries were dropped off at the Poland/Ukraine border but with the help of charity contacts in Ukraine it has now been possible for the group to deliver direct to the country.
After leaving Swindon in the early hours of Friday morning the team stopped off in Germany and Poland before crossing into Ukraine yesterday afternoon.
One of the volunteers driving the van, Kelly said “ My grandparents are Ukrainian and when the Russians invaded Ukraine I knew immediately I had to do something to help.
“This is the 19th vehicle, the others have been ambulances, that I have driven from the UK to Ukraine. The need today is greater than ever”
SHAP Chairman, Mike Bowden commented “ It is humbling to witness the incredible commitment and courage shown by Kelly and Natalyia. They set the standard for the rest of us to follow . We will not match them but will do our very best to ensure the tragedy of so many Ukrainians stays in the public eye and that much needed aid continues to pour into their devastated country.“
You can follow all the progress of the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership journey on the official Facebook page here.
