AID To UKRAINE

RNA has established a partnership with Cornwall & Devon – Sending Love to Ukraine.

https://sendinglovetoukraine.org/

This initiative was originally conceived by Darren Tait in Callington, who planned to deliver a van of aid to Ukraine during the early days of the Russian invasion. As support grew, so did the number of vans, culminating in a convoy of nine vehicles departing in the early hours of Sunday, 6 March 2022.

The project benefits from the generous support of local businesses, organisations, and charities, which have contributed financially and provided essential storage facilities. Close collaboration with contacts on the Poland-Ukraine border ensures that aid is targeted according to specific needs; to date, 250 vanloads of aid—including three ambulances—have been delivered.

In seeking new ways to support Ukraine, including fundraising through a charity golf day, RNA participated in the 35th convoy by funding three vans. The drivers Geoffrey Pickerill, Jeremy Newcombe, Steve Arnold, Peter Morrell, Darren Jury (a friend of Rotary), and Dan Morris, a corporate member who dedicated a week away from his business, AM Electrics.

October Convoy Itinerary

Friday, 24 October: Preparation Day – Vans were loaded and weighed at the main warehouse in Callington.[45 miles]

Saturday, 25 October: Departure at 3:00 AM for the convoy rendezvous near Exeter Airport.

• The convoy travelled to Dover Port, crossed the Channel by ferry to Calais, then drove through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with an overnight hotel stop in Duisburg, Germany. [235 miles]

Sunday, 26 October: A full day’s drive across Germany into Poland, ending at the base hotel in Poznan for two nights. [488 miles]

Monday, 27 October: Delivery Day – The convoy transported approximately 12 tons of aid from Newton Abbot, including medical and hygiene supplies, sleeping bags, and mobility equipment, to the Warsaw aid depot.[195 miles]

Tuesday, 28 October: Departure from Poznan to an overnight hotel in Duisburg, Germany.

Wednesday, 29 October: Return journey from Germany to the UK.

Overall approximately 1,160 miles each way.

The 36th convoy is scheduled to depart on 29th November. RNA aims to contribute two vans: one will be driven by Rotarian Martin Smith and his brother Simon, who have personally contributed towards their accommodation and food expenses. The second van will be driven by Rotary supporter Mike Lock and his brother; Mike is the retired headteacher of Combe Pafford Academy in Torquay.

The approximate cost to fund a van—including hire, insurance, recovery, ferry, fuel, tolls, and accommodation—is £1,800. Current fundraising efforts have secured enough to cover the first van, with a goal of raising an additional £2,000 to fully finance the second vehicle.