Two retired Jersey ambulances have been delivered to Ukraine by a group of local volunteers – who described the experience as “truly humbling”.
The vehicles were donated by the Jersey Ambulance Service, loaded with aid supplies, and delivered to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv last week.
The team from Jersey – Bob de la Haye, Rhys Perkins, John Howell, and Martin Pallot – crossed the border into Ukraine under police escort as part of a 46-vehicle convoy organised by the UK-based charity Pickups for Peace.
The convoy travelled more than 1,500 miles through France, Belgium, and Germany before arriving in Poland and then onto Lviv to hand over the ambulances.
It is the second time Mr de la Haye and Mr Perkins have made the journey from Jersey.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, millions of people have been displaced, and tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in a humanitarian crisis that is still unfolding.
Pickups for Peace has sent more than 600 vehicles to Ukraine since the invasion began, with the charity estimating that each vehicle could help save at least ten lives.
Describing the experience of handing over the vehicles, Mr de la Haye said: “We were very well received by the town mayor and military officers in Lviv.”
Mr Perkins added: “They are obviously so grateful for not only the vehicles, but also for all the humanitarian aid that was transported inside them.
“They also made it very clear that it was not only the physical aid but also knowing that they had not been forgotten and that there are so many people in the British Isles who are supporting them in many different ways.”
The group raised almost £14,000 towards the cost of the trip and was supported by the public, who also donated aid supplies.
DFDS also provided free ferry travel from Jersey to St Malo.
Mr de la Haye said that people from Jersey were “incredibly kind”.
“Many people gave us warm clothing, lots of medical supplies, toiletries, baby nappies, lots of clothes, warm blankets, and what have you,” he explained.
Mr Perkins added: “The people of Jersey have been so generous and we would like to thank all of those who have helped in so many different ways, whether with the donation of money, medical equipment or other forms of humanitarian aid.
“We could not have done this trip without the support that we were given.”
One of the most moving parts of the visit, the pair said, was a stop at a military cemetery in Lviv.
“We had a very emotional visit to the ‘Field of Mars’,” said Mr Perkins.
“We were particularly moved by the way that this cemetery had increased in size since our previous visit six months ago.”
“It was a truly humbling experience and one that we will never forget,” he continued.
Mr de la Haye added: “We even saw three new graves being buried for people that were going to be buried the next day.”