Help Ukraine to care for its peoples!

The need for us to support Ukraine is stronger than ever, as the “west`s” attention and resources are naturally also drawn to other conflicts and threats across the world.

Ukrainians are paying the most horrific costs of this war, that impacts every one of us, and the psychological traumas are immeasurable too. We need to stand with Ukraine, that they may stand, continue to recover what is lost and help prevent invasion of further European sovereign states. There will be the inevitable longer term needs, but, for now,

Will you help me continue the strategy of vehicle and humanitarian aid supplies delivery – always as near as possible to the direct location of need?

– all is facilitated at such low relative cost. Vehicles are modified and prepared by volunteer mechanics in Ukraine. The supplies taken are all freely donated. My time is non-paid voluntary service and donations are used only for the purchase of vehicles, any preparatory mechanical repairs necessary, the transport costs of their delivery and the cheapest return journeys for me. I seldom pay for accommodation (I do not use donated money for accommodation), given the free welcome of Ukrainians in their homes and hospitality of friends en route, and often sleeping in the vehicles.

I partner with the registered charity, “British Ukrainian Aid” who administer all funds sent to the GoFundMe, provide advice and support and sometimes specialist aid provision (for example oxygen concentrators and a defibrillator). All legal aid delivery/customs requirements are followed, and proof of delivery captured in photos and videos (shared with key supporters), and within recipient Ukrainians` legally recorded “Acts of Acceptance”.

Through this and other similar fundraising efforts I have personally delivered over 15 used 4x4 vehicles (enabling recovery of more casualties from the front line), several ambulances, and donated a new car carrying trailer (to enable the transport of damaged vehicles for repair). Each vehicle was filled with high value supplies (generators, medical aid, protective clothing, lighting and heating equipment, non-perishable foodstuffs and other humanitarian aid very generously donated by local businesses and people). All aid and vehicles are delivered directly to the frontline medics, hospitals or hostels by me personally or volunteers travelling with me.

The need, and the aid service continues! I welcome donations towards the continuing deliveries intended. The average vehicle and supplies delivery trip will cost around £3.5 -£4.5K, (varied primarily by the cost of a used vehicle).

Background Story

I am retired and have been able to provide volunteer support to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

I have usually partnered with some very productive and effective not-for-profit groups such as: Mission Ukraine, Generators for Ukraine and Relief Ship, but since 2023 I also undertake my own ventures independent of such groups, often travelling alone to keep costs down. My initial involvement was driving humanitarian aid to Ukraine`s borders and assisting refugees from the border to safer living, including in the UK. I have also driven ambulances to Poland for onward delivery to Ukraine.

Since June `22 I have been able to volunteer to drive in to various locations across Ukraine, making over fourteen trips for the delivery of supplies to a hospital, an orphanage and a shelter for internally displaced people (their homes often having been destroyed) and leaving the vehicles with paramedics and volunteer battalions. One vehicle was donated to a shelter and two others to hospitals, including an ambulance directly to Kherson hospital. I have also spent several weeks delivering generators (and other humanitarian aid) to recently liberated villages in the south-east of Ukraine, where they had no power whatsoever through the cold winter months, and where so many homes, sometimes entire villages, had suffered terrible destruction.

My maternal grandmother was Ukrainian, and I am proud that a little of my DNA comes from peoples of such courage and resilience. Ukrainians are justly fighting for their lives, families and country and I believe, also for Europe and the world, against massive evil attack and oppression from a huge and mighty country. They need and deserve our passionate and active support, (and as a Christian, my prayers too). All Ukrainians I meet express such gratitude for the compassion and generosity of “ordinary” people in Britain (the wide supportive actions and giving of Ukrainian kin included!), sometimes that the encouragement, and sense that they feel less alone, is even of more value than the material goods.

I am just one of many individuals and groups supporting Ukraine in this way. The cumulative value of these contributions and their particular benefits, the relative freedom of operation of such initiatives, and the speed and precision with which the aid can be provided has been well articulated in the national press. My very personal direct contact and relationships built, and the bespoke response to specific or local needs makes a very complementary addition to international aid commitments!

I thank you and bless you in advance!

David Jacobs