Direct aid to Ukraine
Donation protected
Hi everyone ,
Mission Eight will to drive two vehicles full of aid and donate to the medics.
Mission Seven is complete!
4x4 driven up to Sumy to donate medical, rescue equipment and generators. Vehicle donated to medical evacuation team.
Mission Six is complete! We delivered a 4x4 to the Donbass full of medical equipment.
Mission Five is complete ! Van full of humanitarian aid delivered to medical team in Kiev. The van is staying in Ukraine and will be used as a support vehicle to a casualty extraction team on the front line.
PLEASE SEE UPDATES BELOW
Due to the unprecedented and sudden crisis in Ukraine with refugees escaping the war, John and I have decided to do something positive to help.
We are flying to Krakow, Poland, hiring some transport and delivering urgent medical supplies and food to the border with Ukraine.
We are covering the costs of flights, vehicles, fuel and accommodation ourselves but we need help to buy the supplies once we are in Poland.
Please be assured that 100% of your donation will be used to purchase essential supplies for war refugees that are mainly women and children.
We will keep you updated as we go along.
We fly on Thursday and will stay in country until Sunday (update SIMON staying on an extra week) so we will be able to do several runs up to the border and push up as much aid as possible.
Please help us to do something positive and practical to help the Ukrainian refugees.
Update:
We have made contact with an incredible group of volunteers running aid up to the border but they are running low on fuel, funds and energy.
We have gained some amazing local contacts helping us buy effectively and showing us the refugee reception centres.
The plan is coming together.
Update 2:
Absolutely stunned by everyone’s generosity!
Everything is booked and planned for but no doubt there will be some surprises.
Please keep the funds coming as if there is money left over we will give it to the aid workers in Krakow so none of it will be wasted.
We promised 100% of funds will go to direct action and it will.
Update 3:
We have pushed forward money to purchase clothing and portable mobile phone chargers as refugees are cold and desperate to communicate with their families when they cross into Poland.
We are forging strong links with British and Polish aid workers in Krakow.
Update 4:
We have arrived and immediately got involved helping set up a refugee centre near Auschwitz. We have conducted a big shop (5 trolleys of essential supplies) and got it to the centre.
Tomorrow will be purchasing more supplies and getting them down to the border.
We have met some great people doing exceptional work. They need support.
Update 5
Purchasing baby essentials, torches, hi viz vests then a drive down to border.
Meeting with incredible organiser of local volunteers in distribution centre, 150 bed refugee centre and the border crossing. Seeing the relief on the refugees faces when they reach the safety of Poland was incredible. Hard to imagine what trauma they have been through.
A quick needs analysis, exchange of contact details, and then a quick supper on the invitation of a local volunteer was heartwarming.
We also pushed £2k forward to a refugee centre near Chelm.
Back in Krakow at 1am
Update 6
Very busy two days purchasing food and medical supplies. Food - we concentrate on high calorie, dense foods that are easy to transport: chocolate, peanut butter, muesli, honey, dried fruit, baby milk powder etc.
We have bought medicines, bandages, hygiene items, soluble vitamins.
Today we established a local first aid kit production unit. Our first target is to make 250 units then more as supplies are available.
Update 7
500 first aid kits manufactured. Half delivered to the border crossing last night, the other half will be delivered tonight.
Quick recce of first train station in Poland that takes refugees on their journey.
Second meeting with town mayor to ensure we deliver aid directly to refugees.
There are 300000 refugees waiting at the train station in Lvov, Ukraine.
150 food bags delivered to train station
Update 8
Quick run up to Krakow to collect Andy. Fast drive to Ustryki Dolne to deliver the specialist medical equipment he brought.
Make up food for 2am train. Slept in car.
We have made excellent friends with the mayor of a small community that has taken in lots of refugees. Poles are hosting them in their private homes. The mayor had 10 Ukrainians, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 rabbits in his house. Unbelievable help to refugees.
Update 9
Last few days delivering food to Uherce Mineralne train station. Approx 70 of the refugees had slept out in the open before crossing the border. Also some big food delivery’s to Ustryki Dolne distribution centre.
We are home now and planning a return trip at the end of March to deliver more food and medical equipment to the refugees.
Sadly, even if the war miraculously stopped tomorrow their will be 3 million refugees to make the journey home.
Update 10
We have not been idle! We have arranged for medical supplies to be purchased at cost from a Polish pharmacy, collected and shipped more medical supplies, bundled clothing and arranged for Nigel Pinkstone to go on a huge shop in Krakow for the refugees. Many thanks Nigel!
Simon and Andy are returning to Krakow on 29th March for a further week.
Andy's business Telebeam are generously covering the cost of flights, hotels, hire cars and expenses whilst we are in Poland and possibly Slovakia delivering aid. This means that 100% of your donations helps the Ukrainian refugees and suffering people.
We are flying with two large bags stuffed with specialist medical equipment.
Update 11
We arrived in Krakow, handed over med bags to a trusted friend, organised the purchase of powerbanks, water filters and head torches to go direct into the Ukraine.
Big food shop for refugee centre near Auschwitz. Food delivered to Krakow train station.
Drive down to the Slovak/Ukraine border. Got accreditation as humanitarian workers with authorities.
Two cars full of supplies, including baby milk, nappies delivered to Refugee reception centre Michalovce, Slovakia. They are receiving 2000 refugees a day.
Meeting with medical staff - placed 2000 Euro order for medicines. Collected in two batches and delivered to medical tent.
Update 12
We are back in Kroscienko, Poland border area delivering food to Wodena refugee reception centre. Collected a big order of specialist medical equipment (BP monitors, pulse oximeters, betidene, burns dressings and creams) from Zagorz. We will split up and send some to Krakow and deliver the rest to Wodena.
Update 13
Drive back to Krakow, collecting water filter bottles and high energy drinks and bars on way. Big shop for orpanage in Ukraine - three trolleys full of food.
Hand over medical kit to our friend - they will be in Ukraine in the next few days.
Update 14
We are planning our third trip.
Update 15
We have been informed that our most recent food and medical purchases have successfully arrived in Ukraine
Financial update - approx current spend (GBP, Euros, Zloty - in Poland and Slovakia)
Food and basic supplies
£9500
First aid kit supplies (to make 500 kits)
£600
Medical supplies
£4300
Torches, batteries, powerbanks, water filters
£1000
Direct to orphanages
£3000
Update 16
3000 zloty medical order placed with Polish pharmacy. Burns and antiseptic creams.
2500 zloty sent to provide fuel for private ambulance collecting injured refugees from East Ukraine
£1600 of medical supplies purchased in last 24 hours.
This will build 25 trauma packs and 4 ambulance bags.
Simon flying out to Krakow 29th April to deliver air freight and plan Mays trip to Ukraine.
Current total spend £ 21,311
Update 17
Successful delivery of air freight to Krakow. Plus food delivery and helping in train station refugee food kitchen.
Simon has booked flights to Poland between 12 and 25 May. This will be to help drive aid direct into Ukraine.
£1500 of medical supplies arrived - broken down to make four trauma packs and lots of individual first aid kits
We desperately need donations to pay for ambulance/vehicle fuel and more food and supplies. We know it’s a big ask but we humbly ask you to consider another donation. As per our pledge, we cover our own expenses.
Update 18
Simon arrived safely in Krakow and delivered half medical supplies to Arek in his private ambulance. The other half will be taken to Kyiv area.
Food purchased for refugee feeding station in Krakow train station.
Update 19
Simon now in Ukraine.
Successful crossing front Poland to Ukraine with food for internally displaced refugees living in a school.
Medical supplies delivered to Lviv.
Humanitarian supplies delivered to care home.
Visit to Andriyevka (40 km West of Kiev) - needs analysis ( next project might be to supply a rotovator or small tractor as theirs was looted).
Take medical supplies to Hospitallers (volunteer medics) in Kiev.
Return by train to Poland.
Help in refugee feeding station in Kiev.
Fly home - all travel costs met by friends and family.
£220 sent to two young families in Andriyevka to help them rebuild their war damaged house and buy food.
Update 20:
We have a van! Fifth trip will be to deliver humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and donate the van to front line medics. Mission accomplished!
Update 21:
Planning to purchase or find a doner 4x4 to be converted to a casualty extraction vehicle.
We’ve got one!
We are continuously amazed by your generosity.
Warm regards,
Simon Ellis, John Nourish and Andy Rowsell
Mission Eight will to drive two vehicles full of aid and donate to the medics.
Mission Seven is complete!
4x4 driven up to Sumy to donate medical, rescue equipment and generators. Vehicle donated to medical evacuation team.
Mission Six is complete! We delivered a 4x4 to the Donbass full of medical equipment.
Mission Five is complete ! Van full of humanitarian aid delivered to medical team in Kiev. The van is staying in Ukraine and will be used as a support vehicle to a casualty extraction team on the front line.
PLEASE SEE UPDATES BELOW
Due to the unprecedented and sudden crisis in Ukraine with refugees escaping the war, John and I have decided to do something positive to help.
We are flying to Krakow, Poland, hiring some transport and delivering urgent medical supplies and food to the border with Ukraine.
We are covering the costs of flights, vehicles, fuel and accommodation ourselves but we need help to buy the supplies once we are in Poland.
Please be assured that 100% of your donation will be used to purchase essential supplies for war refugees that are mainly women and children.
We will keep you updated as we go along.
We fly on Thursday and will stay in country until Sunday (update SIMON staying on an extra week) so we will be able to do several runs up to the border and push up as much aid as possible.
Please help us to do something positive and practical to help the Ukrainian refugees.
Update:
We have made contact with an incredible group of volunteers running aid up to the border but they are running low on fuel, funds and energy.
We have gained some amazing local contacts helping us buy effectively and showing us the refugee reception centres.
The plan is coming together.
Update 2:
Absolutely stunned by everyone’s generosity!
Everything is booked and planned for but no doubt there will be some surprises.
Please keep the funds coming as if there is money left over we will give it to the aid workers in Krakow so none of it will be wasted.
We promised 100% of funds will go to direct action and it will.
Update 3:
We have pushed forward money to purchase clothing and portable mobile phone chargers as refugees are cold and desperate to communicate with their families when they cross into Poland.
We are forging strong links with British and Polish aid workers in Krakow.
Update 4:
We have arrived and immediately got involved helping set up a refugee centre near Auschwitz. We have conducted a big shop (5 trolleys of essential supplies) and got it to the centre.
Tomorrow will be purchasing more supplies and getting them down to the border.
We have met some great people doing exceptional work. They need support.
Update 5
Purchasing baby essentials, torches, hi viz vests then a drive down to border.
Meeting with incredible organiser of local volunteers in distribution centre, 150 bed refugee centre and the border crossing. Seeing the relief on the refugees faces when they reach the safety of Poland was incredible. Hard to imagine what trauma they have been through.
A quick needs analysis, exchange of contact details, and then a quick supper on the invitation of a local volunteer was heartwarming.
We also pushed £2k forward to a refugee centre near Chelm.
Back in Krakow at 1am
Update 6
Very busy two days purchasing food and medical supplies. Food - we concentrate on high calorie, dense foods that are easy to transport: chocolate, peanut butter, muesli, honey, dried fruit, baby milk powder etc.
We have bought medicines, bandages, hygiene items, soluble vitamins.
Today we established a local first aid kit production unit. Our first target is to make 250 units then more as supplies are available.
Update 7
500 first aid kits manufactured. Half delivered to the border crossing last night, the other half will be delivered tonight.
Quick recce of first train station in Poland that takes refugees on their journey.
Second meeting with town mayor to ensure we deliver aid directly to refugees.
There are 300000 refugees waiting at the train station in Lvov, Ukraine.
150 food bags delivered to train station
Update 8
Quick run up to Krakow to collect Andy. Fast drive to Ustryki Dolne to deliver the specialist medical equipment he brought.
Make up food for 2am train. Slept in car.
We have made excellent friends with the mayor of a small community that has taken in lots of refugees. Poles are hosting them in their private homes. The mayor had 10 Ukrainians, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 rabbits in his house. Unbelievable help to refugees.
Update 9
Last few days delivering food to Uherce Mineralne train station. Approx 70 of the refugees had slept out in the open before crossing the border. Also some big food delivery’s to Ustryki Dolne distribution centre.
We are home now and planning a return trip at the end of March to deliver more food and medical equipment to the refugees.
Sadly, even if the war miraculously stopped tomorrow their will be 3 million refugees to make the journey home.
Update 10
We have not been idle! We have arranged for medical supplies to be purchased at cost from a Polish pharmacy, collected and shipped more medical supplies, bundled clothing and arranged for Nigel Pinkstone to go on a huge shop in Krakow for the refugees. Many thanks Nigel!
Simon and Andy are returning to Krakow on 29th March for a further week.
Andy's business Telebeam are generously covering the cost of flights, hotels, hire cars and expenses whilst we are in Poland and possibly Slovakia delivering aid. This means that 100% of your donations helps the Ukrainian refugees and suffering people.
We are flying with two large bags stuffed with specialist medical equipment.
Update 11
We arrived in Krakow, handed over med bags to a trusted friend, organised the purchase of powerbanks, water filters and head torches to go direct into the Ukraine.
Big food shop for refugee centre near Auschwitz. Food delivered to Krakow train station.
Drive down to the Slovak/Ukraine border. Got accreditation as humanitarian workers with authorities.
Two cars full of supplies, including baby milk, nappies delivered to Refugee reception centre Michalovce, Slovakia. They are receiving 2000 refugees a day.
Meeting with medical staff - placed 2000 Euro order for medicines. Collected in two batches and delivered to medical tent.
Update 12
We are back in Kroscienko, Poland border area delivering food to Wodena refugee reception centre. Collected a big order of specialist medical equipment (BP monitors, pulse oximeters, betidene, burns dressings and creams) from Zagorz. We will split up and send some to Krakow and deliver the rest to Wodena.
Update 13
Drive back to Krakow, collecting water filter bottles and high energy drinks and bars on way. Big shop for orpanage in Ukraine - three trolleys full of food.
Hand over medical kit to our friend - they will be in Ukraine in the next few days.
Update 14
We are planning our third trip.
Update 15
We have been informed that our most recent food and medical purchases have successfully arrived in Ukraine
Financial update - approx current spend (GBP, Euros, Zloty - in Poland and Slovakia)
Food and basic supplies
£9500
First aid kit supplies (to make 500 kits)
£600
Medical supplies
£4300
Torches, batteries, powerbanks, water filters
£1000
Direct to orphanages
£3000
Update 16
3000 zloty medical order placed with Polish pharmacy. Burns and antiseptic creams.
2500 zloty sent to provide fuel for private ambulance collecting injured refugees from East Ukraine
£1600 of medical supplies purchased in last 24 hours.
This will build 25 trauma packs and 4 ambulance bags.
Simon flying out to Krakow 29th April to deliver air freight and plan Mays trip to Ukraine.
Current total spend £ 21,311
Update 17
Successful delivery of air freight to Krakow. Plus food delivery and helping in train station refugee food kitchen.
Simon has booked flights to Poland between 12 and 25 May. This will be to help drive aid direct into Ukraine.
£1500 of medical supplies arrived - broken down to make four trauma packs and lots of individual first aid kits
We desperately need donations to pay for ambulance/vehicle fuel and more food and supplies. We know it’s a big ask but we humbly ask you to consider another donation. As per our pledge, we cover our own expenses.
Update 18
Simon arrived safely in Krakow and delivered half medical supplies to Arek in his private ambulance. The other half will be taken to Kyiv area.
Food purchased for refugee feeding station in Krakow train station.
Update 19
Simon now in Ukraine.
Successful crossing front Poland to Ukraine with food for internally displaced refugees living in a school.
Medical supplies delivered to Lviv.
Humanitarian supplies delivered to care home.
Visit to Andriyevka (40 km West of Kiev) - needs analysis ( next project might be to supply a rotovator or small tractor as theirs was looted).
Take medical supplies to Hospitallers (volunteer medics) in Kiev.
Return by train to Poland.
Help in refugee feeding station in Kiev.
Fly home - all travel costs met by friends and family.
£220 sent to two young families in Andriyevka to help them rebuild their war damaged house and buy food.
Update 20:
We have a van! Fifth trip will be to deliver humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and donate the van to front line medics. Mission accomplished!
Update 21:
Planning to purchase or find a doner 4x4 to be converted to a casualty extraction vehicle.
We’ve got one!
We are continuously amazed by your generosity.
Warm regards,
Simon Ellis, John Nourish and Andy Rowsell
Organizer
Simon Ellis
Organizer
