Return to Krakow, Ukraine and next aid run

After arriving at Krakow airport yesterday evening, we went straight to Tomasz's (Paszki dla Ukrainy) workplace, where it was intended that he and his students would pack the aid van with us. As it turned out, our flight time was changed so we didn't arrive until 8pm, by which time the students had gone home, apart from the incredibly organised and dedicated technician, Magda. Tomasz still thought that we could prepare all the things to put in the van, and do the packing itself, in 45 minutes. 
We finished at 10:30 pm! However, this was hardly surprising as Tomasz and Paszki dla Ukrainy (Packages for Ukraine) have managed to obtain, through donations of items and money, a large amount of really good quality aid: special binoculars for soldiers, candles, paraffin wax and candle wicks, propane camping stoves, torches and batteries, LED lightbulbs, individual bags of food and toiletries (packed by Magda), blankets, sleeping bags, winter clothes, dog food, and baby diapers, food and milk. 
The van was about as packed as it could be, just leaving room for our rucksacks and food bag!
We returned to Lviv today with the loaded van. The aid is being delivered in 3 parts -  the first, already, to a contact in Lviv. Tomorrow afternoon we'll set off for Ternopil and stay overnight with one of our good friends, Yaroslav, Wheels of Victory, in order to get on the road before Friday when heavy snow is forecast in Lviv. Then we have a long journey south. As usual, we won't disclose our final destination until after we've delivered the aid. Before this, we'll stay overnight in Mykolaiv with another friend and fearless volunteer driver, Svitlana, with whom we'll leave a good proportion of the aid for distribution to destroyed villages.

The next day we'll make our way to an urban settlement where there is no electricity or water, with a delivery of a generator, powerbanks and powerbank charging stations (an amazing gadget that looks - and acts - like a toaster).
We'll leave the aid with a woman and her son, who will distribute it. We have been told that they are very hospitable people (as is always the case) and have offered to let us stay the night with them, despite their difficult conditions. Mrs T has already bought meat to prepare borsch! However, we will probably not stay as there is periodic shelling in the region. 

We were shocked and saddened today by the tragic helicopter crash near a kindergarten in Brovary, Kviv, killing 14 people, including a child. We have often driven through the suburb of Brovary to collect wood burning stoves. Even if it was a dreadful accident, as it appears at this stage, the war may be indirectly responsible, as it was reported to be very foggy, there was no electricity, and so there were no lights on the building.

And so, either directly or indirectly, the loss of life continues. Despite everything it feels good to be back here. And Bob had a wonderful moment today. He dropped off a small amount of aid with a man here in Lviv. Much to Bob's surprise, Y said that he had a present for us...some limited addition stamps and postcards. And a small comment about us...you went to England.....and came back!!! (having seen the photos in a previous blog). 

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