Loading up for Ukraine in Burn: from left, Mitch Mitchell, Katrina Markovska, MP Nigel Adams and Stuart Davison.
Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Selby’s MP Nigel Adams have thrown their full weight behind two men from the Selby area who have been risking their lives, and spending their own savings, ferrying life-saving equipment to war-torn Ukraine.
The two men are about to embark on their next dangerous mission (January 28) also with the backing of the Ukrainian Embassy in London and the Ukrainian Army.
Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent them a personal video message expressing his thanks and wholehearted support - and solidarity for Ukraine.
Stuart Davison, from Hambleton, near Selby, and Mitch Mitchell from Whitley, have so far made the 3,000-mile return overland trek to Ukraine three times and set off again next Saturday.
They will be loaded with generators, candles, warm clothing, quilts, sleeping bags, dried food, patent medicines, sanitary products and horse blankets.
They will also be delivering a thermal-imaging drone and 16 stretchers to the front line.
Stuart Davison, a truck driver, is literally the ‘driving force’ behind the endeavour. He’s put £7,000 of his own savings into paying for diesel for the three van trips he and his colleague Mitch have made across Europe with humanitarian aid.
Stuart and Mitch have delivered aid mainly to orphanages where children keep warm from candles in temperatures of -24 degrees and where people have no homes, no power, no heating, no food and thousands of displaced youngsters are taking what shelter they can.
Their boss has given them the time off to travel, the AA has given them free breakdown cover for their trips, they’ve had free hotel accommodation in Belgium and Berlin, the rest they do themselves.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has spoken to the Minister of Defence on their behalf and even turned up with his own Ukrainian guest to help load in Burn, near Selby, ready for the next trip.
Nigel said: “I’m incredibly proud of Stuart and Mitch and we want to show our support and gratitude. It’s clear their efforts have really touched people’s hearts. I am really happy to help them. I have a Ukrainian refugee living with us at home and we are just about to house another family, so I am very keen to assist.”
Stuart said: “It’s heart-breaking to see the Ukrainian people suffering. They desperately need our help. But the support and donations we have received back home has been staggering, incredible and the backing from Boris Johnson and Nigel Adams is the icing on the cake.”
They are taking a horse box on their next trip and plan to spend an extra few days in Ukraine, helping transport injured horses.
In his video to the two men, Boris Johnson says “Hi Stuart and Mitch - Boris Johnson here. I just want to say a million thanks to you for everything you're doing to bring stuff to the people of Ukraine - the humanitarian mission that you're running, I know that it makes a huge difference to them and I know that Nigel and I certainly stand ready to do anything that we can to help you. Thanks for what you're doing, keep going and "Slava Ukraine" (glory to Ukraine).”
And a Sheffield film production company, Picture Point Films, is planning to document next week’s journey to Ukraine.
You can contact the two men through their website www.transportresearchspecialists.co.uk or donate via their Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hopeforanimals?utm_term=W8xZyMX4r.