In September 2024 my good friend, Fergus Ramsay, and I are undertaking our first humanitarian trip to Ukraine in a blue 2007 Ford Thunder pickup.

Already nicknamed 'Blue Thunder', it has been used on a farm, but it is in solid condition for the 1,380-mile trip from Cambridge to the Polish/Ukraine border.

For the September 2024 trip we are taking walking aids, wheelchairs, and babies' nappies from the UK; and then loading up with food in Poland before going across the border into Ukraine. Blue Thunder will then stay in Ukraine and be used to help in the war.

How can you help?

Fergus and I aim to raise £5,000 towards the next humanitarian aid convoy to Ukraine in March 2025, and any of the following will be very gratefully received:

- of course, all donations via this JustGiving page are very welcome!

- there is a list of badly needed aid items on the Convoy4Ukraine website, please take a look: convoy4ukraine.com

- also, if you have a road worthy 4x4 type vehicle that is no longer ULEZ friendly, and you would like to sell/donate, please get in touch!

Why £5,000?

We think this is a realistic figure for our March 2025 trip, we aim to cover the purchase of a suitable 4x4 type vehicle, get it prepared, pay for the ferry & fuel and have a few hundred to spend on food aid in Poland before crossing into Ukraine.

We are paying for all our own accommodation, food etc. and flights home.

All donations small, medium, or large are going to make a difference - so thanks for considering donating.

On a personal note.........

Like many of us, watching the news from the comfort of my home many miles from the war in Ukraine, the initial outrage and shock of the Russian invasion in February 2022 had started to fade. News stories of drone attacks on innocent civilians, explosions, and rocket attacks on nuclear power plants had become normalised.

So, it was a timely phone call from Fergus that prompted me into taking action, helping out, and doing some good. I know that I will make a just a small difference, but it will be a difference in the lives of real people.

By the time we go on the next trip to Ukraine, it will be just over three years since Russia invaded the country. Please pray that the war is over by then; but even if it is over, there will be years of rebuilding broken towns, infrastructure, and people. This will take may many years and require billions in aid. Our £5,000 is only a tiny drop - but your help can make a real difference to the lives of up to 30 people on this trip.