Reflections on aid run 5...

...we are glad to be home! This was the hardest aid journey yet. We were plagued by van problems - breaking down on a busy highway, a flat tyre and, to cap it all, faulty electrics, meaning that the last 2 days of driving were accompanied by lights flashing on and off in the back of the van (not great at night!), and a high-pitched beeping noise.

There were long days driving and we were away a week instead of 3 days. It was physically and emotionally exhausting. There was also a need for washing of knickers and socks! A learning point is to always take extra - because you never know!

The first aid drop did not go according to plan (even apart from the breakdown) as we had not researched where we were going. But the aid reached its destination a day later and the recipients were happy. 

And the journey was valuable in identifying people's needs so that we can continue to make a positive difference. There is a constant re-evaluation process. For example, we had thought that clothes were, perhaps, no longer as needed as previously. But we discovered that refugee families, in Letychiv, Kyiv and elsewhere, need warm winter clothing, shoes and bedding.

The women's group in North Kyiv is supporting about 200 families. Some of them have husbands and fathers who have been killed in the war. The children will have suffered untold trauma and, maybe, the  group in Cwmbran, Wales, who had the imagination to devise the 'trauma teddies,' will help in some way. 

In the time we've been away, autumn has turned to winter. The photo is of a bus stop, somewhere on the road southeast of Kyiv, I think. Bus stops here can be quite unique and we have commented that we should make a photo book of them. 

Our spirits are buoyed by video clips of people greeting soldiers in villages that the Ukrainian army is liberating in Kherson region. But we are aware of the destruction and huge level of need in this area. We don't think it will be long until we are on the road again. 

Asking for financial support does not always come easy for us, particularly for the diesel we (and/or other organisations) need to deliver the aid. The cost of fuel for a round trip to Odesa is about £300. If you can help, please donate in the usual way:

1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com. 

2. Use the collection box in Trawden community shop. 

Thank you.