Direct Aid to Ukraine, an organisation set up and run by Simon Ellis, who lives locally, is busy fundraising for an 8th vehicle to take to Ukraine. The vehicle will be packed full of medical supplies, agricultural tools, clothing and even dog-food. Like the other 7 vehicles, it will be driven to Ukraine by Simon and passed directly to one of Simon’s medic contacts.
“This is the largest war in Europe since World War 2 and it’s frighteningly close,” explained Simon. “It only takes two and a half days to drive to Ukraine. By driving the vehicles straight to Ukraine myself I can avoid a lot of bureaucracy and the danger of items going astray and not reaching the people who are most in need.”
Simon, who has always been interested in Eastern Europe and who has participated in other humanitarian work in the Middle East, has been involved in Ukraine from the very beginnings of the war. Initially he volunteered to help the refugees who had fled to Poland and Slovakia. After setting up a gofundme page, which very quickly accumulated a large amount of money, he realised he could do more than just food parcels and he recognised the need for medical vehicles and medical kits.
Through a combination of gofundme and private donations, 7 vehicles full of supplies have already been delivered to Ukraine. Simon commented, “We ensure the vehicles are as good as they can be. They are fully serviced, taxed, insured and supplied with servicing tools.”
Simon told Marlborough.news, “Being part of the International volunteer community is immensely rewarding and fulfilling and you feel you are making a difference. I have experienced incredible Ukrainian hospitality on my trips and made a lot of Ukrainian friends, who after two years of war are very tired but steadfast and loyal.”
“I’m a great believer in ‘never let perfect get in the way of good’. You don’t have to have a perfect plan to make a difference. I can’t help 100,000 people but I can help 15 or 20. And if lots of people do the same then the cumulative effect is huge. I will carry on doing this until there’s no more need.”
If you wish to contribute to Direct Aid to Ukraine and help Simon supply the 8th vehicle click here for the gofundme page.