South Devon Rotarians launch funding appeal to send latest convoy to Ukraine

Rotary Newton Abbot are raising funds to send another aid convoy to Ukraine.

They played a big part in a mercy mission to the war-torn country in October. Now they are organising a November trip.

RNA says: “ The third anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian war passed on February 24 with the disastrous impact on civilian life, with thousands killed, many thousands more injured and millions displaced. 

“As we enter another winter of devastation we are proud to be supporting 'Cornwall & Devon Sending Love to Ukraine' relief efforts. 

“We have supplied drivers and vans for the October Aid Convoy and are appealing for funds to go again in November.”

Funding for one van for the November trip has been secured. The Rotarians need to raise around £2,000 to fully fund a second van. The next mission is on November 29, leaving at 3am.

In seeking new ways to support Ukraine, including fundraising through a charity golf day, RNA participated in the 35th October convoy by funding three vans. 

The drivers were 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.

They left in the early hours of October 24 with the convoy travelling to Dover to cross the Channel by ferry to Calais. They then drove through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with an overnight hotel stop in Duisburg, Germany.

The following day comprised a full day’s drive across Germany into Poland, ending at the base hotel in Poznan for two nights.

Monday was 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.

Tuesday October 28 saw them depart from Poznan to an overnight hotel in Duisburg, Germany. Wednesday was the return journey from Germany to the UK. 1,600 miles each way.

For the 36th convoy 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.

RNA’s partnership with Cornwall & Devon – Sending Love to Ukraine was originally  conceived by Darren Tait in Callington, Cornwall. He 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, March 6, 2022.

Martin Smith says: “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.”

To donate to the RNA appeal go to  : https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/27734#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonate

 Ukraine Appeal QR code

There is also a QR code and option to donate direct by Bcs

.