DRIVING AID TO
UKRAINE
Story By DAVE KING
Last month, shortly before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rotarians made the 1,200-mile trip across Europe to deliver nine vehicles filled with humanitarian aid, including two ambulances.
Organiser Tony Preston was making his 30th trip to Ukraine, and said he was grateful to his team of drivers who made the 20-hour journey run like clockwork.
“Dealing with several NGOs made the paperwork a bit more challenging, but it worked out spot on in the end,” he admitted.
Tony is Service Project Chair for the Rotary Club of Ukraine Unity, which is based in the western city of Lviv. He is also an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Whitstable in Kent.
“I live in Kent which puts me in an ideal position to coordinate aid to Ukraine from the UK,” he explained. “My convoy this month was the largest to date and consisted of seven 4x4s and two ambulances.
“The two ambulances and two of the 4x4s were the result of funds raised by Rotary Clubs of San Antonio, Texas, and Superior Wisconsin in the United States. Rotarian J.C Clapsaddle from San Antonio Rotary joined us and went the extra mile to drive one of the 4x4s from UK.
“This project was administrated by Whitstable Rotary Club treasurer, Andrew Gough, and co-ordinated by myself and members of the Rotary Club of Ukraine Unity. It has been a fine example of inter-club co-operation and support across countries.”
The convoy that Tony and his fellow Rotarians drove 1,200 miles to Ukraine included two ambulances and two 4x4's
The vehicles were driven onto a ferry to cross the English Channel and then headed across mainland Europe. Within days, the ambulances were handed over to medical extraction units to transport badly injured people away from the front line for treatment in western Ukraine or elsewhere in Europe.
Two of the 4x4s are going to be converted for rapid patient evacuation in areas of dangerous or harsh terrain. The remaining five 4x4s were purchased or donated by individuals in the UK and Ukraine. They will be passed on to those involved with mine clearing, medics, and aid distribution.
Tony said that the Ukraine aid project has been widely supported by Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland.
“Rotary clubs and individuals made a large contribution to the success of the trip,” he added. “I should mention William Jackson from Hereford Elgar Rotary Club in Herefordshire who not only drove one of the ambulances, but also filled it with medical supplies.
“The Rotary Club of Chislehurst in south-east London provided funding for several thermals sets and a defibrillator for a children's hospital.
The ambulances were handed over to medical extraction units to transport badly injured people away from the front line
“The Rotary Club of Royal Wootton Bassett & District in Wiltshire provided seven in-demand 2000w portable power stations, which are not cheap. I should also thank the incredible Lorraine Staniek, who works endlessly connecting groups together, and my wingman, Rotarian Steven Sidelnyk who never lets me down.
“Whilst all the types of aid are important, one which stood out was 60 pairs of donated boxed new children footwear which will be split among several orphanages. Sometimes, it's the simple items that can be rewarding.”
Tony admitted that for this February trip they were lucky with the weather, able to cross the border into Ukraine in under two hours with a new customs system which is now operating.
And he is planning to return to Ukraine in March. The demand for support is still there, he says, and with the end of winter approaching, that need is growing.
He added: “We are already working on putting together new projects for the summer which offers its own challenges. We will also be increasing the delivery of blue light vehicles and within three days of being back, I have already secured two more ambulances which will be going out in our March convoy.”
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