Preparing for the last aid run, for now...

We've had sufficient donations which, pooled with our own money, meant that we were able to purchase a really good aid load from the Metro store in Odesa - things that, we hope, will keep people going for a while, including large bags of laundry powder, and sacks of rice and pasta (to be divided out), fruit juice, long life milk, flour and butter, as well as incontinence diapers for adults, and dried dog food and cat food.

This took several trolley loads. We were helped by the store manager, who prepared the largest load before we arrived and then came round the store with us to help with the rest. He doesn't have to do this but it's his way of showing his appreciation for what we do. He told us that he was working at a store in Mariupol before he escaped to Odesa.

We also have fresh fruit, purchased earlier - again, there is a stall holder at the market with whom we leave the van, which he fills with what we request. Sufficient apples will be put aside for 'bobbing'...

Whilst we were waiting at the checkout, a Ukrainian man came up and spoke to us in English. He'd noticed what we were doing and wanted to express his gratitude. He said that he, too, raises funds elsewhere in Europe.

And, as we took the shopping trolleys to the van, one of the staff came out of the store to help us load it. He said that he recognised us from the Lighthouse hub in Kherson, from the time of the Nova Kakhovka dam bombing, when aid was desparately needed in flooded villages.

It is this level of personal connection and appreciation, and the impact of the work we do, that makes it so hard to leave, even for a short time. We are frequently told that we've done enough and we need a rest. The latter may be true but how can 'enough' be measured? - when the situation in Kherson is so dire and likely to get worse this winter, and we can make a difference, however small. We have yet to figure out how this might work, but we want to return before too long.

I want to finish with a text message from one of our more recent friends in Kherson. I hope she won't mind me publishing it:

"I've read your posts several times.

I'm in tears. Thank you for helping. [You] did not leave us alone with the enemy. Strength and patience to you."