Like most people, I've felt quite useless. Powerless to do anything to help our Ukrainian neighbours. But I also knew that many are losing limbs, suffering life-changing injuries. And dying. And felt I must do SOMETHING.
So in April I bought a ferry ticket and a 4-Wheel Drive, filled it with equipment, medical and other humanitarian aid and drove it to Ukraine.
There I saw with my own eyes the difference that even we small people can make.
Arriving on 24th April, I sheltered from a drone attack. No one was killed that night.
I visited a cemetery – in a comparatively 'un-bombed' town in Ukraine - that is overflowing with the graves of over 1500 people, killed defending their homes. I shed tears with a woman at her son’s grave. I saw weeping, grieving brothers and sisters, widows and parents of those killed. And wondered at the idiocy of those who perpetrate this crime, against people like you and me. And I was emotionally affected by the roadside pedestrians - young and old - who cheered and waved when they saw UK number plates. Childishly, I felt special. They were cheering me. ME!
Prior to my trip, I had had doubts that my donations may be 'lost' to the Ukraine black-market equivalent of the Private Walkers (Dad's Army) of this world.
So I funded this delivery journey myself.
But before going I connected with the charity - Pick-Ups-for-Peace - who’ve facilitated 28 convoys of aid.
P4P began 3 years ago.
I’m in absolutely no doubt about the charity’s integrity of dealing and good motives, to enable people like us to channel goodwill to where it's most needed. NO paid staff! All volunteers.
The aid we take is essential.
I’ve also discovered that I'm just one of an enormous number of people around the UK doing this.
Many thousands of people. As of May 26, there have been 1560 P4P drivers alone, with 883 vehicles delivered.
And there are scores of other groups countrywide – many thousands of individuals who've donated uncounted £££.
Thus I feel that I can legitimately ask others who feel as I do to donate.
And I've committed to two further trips this year and hopefully four.
But I will need your serious help. Please?
I do realise that for many of us in 2026, times are really difficult. Finances are tight. For now, though, we do live in comparative peace.
But Europe is a small space and Ukraine is effectively our doorstep-neighbour.
This war cannot be lost. Will you help? And be as generous as you can?
