I am raising funds to drive to Ukraine and help locals with some warm clothing and winter things

Plus help with local transport in and out the border of Ukraine

Also ongoing help with driving and transport support

Many people are facing a harsh winter without adequate warm clothing and basic necessities. They still need our help & support - now as much as ever.

 Many families are homeless or living without adequate warmth and safety, as men had to go fight.

Local people try their best to help each other, but many are displaced and living without basic necessities.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

It strikes a personal note with me as, for the past decade, prior to 2020, I was driving through Ukraine, helping people explore those regions by motorcycle. Everyone was harmonious, East and West, everyone was equally hospitable and always happy to help.

Now they need our help

Transport is an ongoing major issue.

I have a vehicle and I know the roads around Ukraine. I can drive there and help with some faster, more urgent things this winter.

* at present it appears that there's large numbers of trucks and vehicles stuck and facing significant delays around the Ukrainian borders. Including hundreds of Ukrainian truckers/ drivers who are stranded by the borders, waiting to return back to Ukraine.

It may be that I can deliver our items to both an official collection point, by the border, as well as provide some items and assistance directly to those stranded drivers, helping them, whilst also getting certain items onto a truck heading the right direction!

Might you be able to help also please?

I can take some warming things this winter, like an express courier, direct from UK to Ukraine.

At Ukraine, I can help with some direct driving, hopefully to help a few people, who don’t have access to transport, get around quickly, and deliver some things around the border region.

Also - If there is some person / family / elder who might need a ride to get across to Europe, to re-unite with friends or family already here, or to escape the conflict, I can also help.

Families are separated and living in fear and uncertainty.

When: early Dec 2023 onwards

How: Drive direct to Slovakia / Ukraine border / Western Ukraine

With: Urgent packages and items, co-ordinating with local agencies there.

NOW: it’s really really helpful and appreciated it you could add any amount however large or small, to this funding page

It would really help me cover some of the direct costs to get things out there and help some people directly. Thus far, I cover all the costs, fuel, some basic insurances, road tolls (I am providing/covering my own time and general car costs)


I have already started purchasing some new items, initially funded myself (great if we can fund getting more items, including new warm hats and gloves, small torches, waterproofs, candles, coffee & thermos flasks) childrens gifts, first aid items, mainly compact things, warm clothing, hats, gloves, waterproofs, + new warm socks. Like we know, keeping your hands, head and feet warm and dry is essential and often these simple things are missed by those young men on the front lines, as well as many elders still inside Ukraine.

I also aim to help with some future transport needs

funding will provide
Raising £1500; will cover initial transport to Ukraine (as well as collections etc in UK) and the supply of winter items noted. £3000 should add enough funding to also cover some additional support in Country, including help with local transport of items to communities or local agencies, plus transport for 1 or 2 persons into or returning EU. (inc some accommodation costs, food and basic essentials) Anything raised over £3000 could help cover any more assistance as noted above, plus can either purchase additional supplies . £4000 + can ideally help set up doing some subsequent transport run to include more specific items, as may be identified in liaison with local support agencies, including aiming to help further with transport to/from UK/Europe.

I am also liaising with drivingaidtoukraine looking at the potential to assist them with further van transport of urgent items into Country. (as future funding permits)

If this funding covers enough, I will also look to do other trips, provide any help I can for Ukrainians in refuge here, as well as look to help with other people/ organisations on the transport side, getting urgent things to Ukraine, as well as any help we can do directly for local people, hopefully helping with their direct transport and re-connections with family.

Thank you for any assistance you can give, it is greatly appreciated
Steve

*records of all items purchased and expenses/ donations will be kept.
I will also be providing online updates.