Vans Across The Water

Healing…

ocal Nick Reid has been in touch about the latest Ukraine aid trip from Greystones.

Lined up for Friday, February 3rd, the trucks will bring much-needed supplies to the war-torn country.

This latest journey to Ukraine via Poland is the latest in a series of such aid convoys departing from here, aided and abetted by the likes of the Kilcoole Men’s Shed, Philip Flynn, Richie Murray and Joey Morrison, plus Colette Talbot.

With a GoFundMe page now set up, here’s Nick with the details…

Firstly, thank you to all those people who have supported Colette Talbot and our forthcoming trip to Poland and Ukraine. We leave on the 3rd February, and our aim is to deliver as much vital supplies as we can to those most in need.

Within the three vans and 7 20kg bags on the flight, we will have clothes and toys for children in the three orphanages we will be visiting, along with medical supplies, warm thermals, solar lighting, gas cookers, medicines, and many other vital pieces of equipment. There will also be 8 generators we have sourced and paid for.

Part of this has been paid for through sponsorship, but also monies raised by each of us within the team. Last year I raised €7,500 by competing in an Iron Man swim and was grateful for all the support I received from family and friends and people within the local community. Any more money we raise will go directly towards buying supplies.

Our aim now is to raise as much money as we can in the next number of weeks for Colette’s Aid for Orphans GoFundMe page here, so that whilst we are there, we can purchase additional supplies in Poland and shuttle these across the border into pre-designated and highlighted places where help is most needed.

Colette has been many times before, so has a network of other volunteer contact groups doing exactly what we are doin, travelling out there from different counties all over Ireland.
Knowledge share is crucial; getting the right supplies to those most in need is key. We also have to be mindful and monitor closely the situation on the ground which changes on a daily basis.

This weekend, I have delivered to all coffee shops in Greystones a poster of our trip, with a QR code to Colette’s GoFundMe page.

I was encouraged by the support of the local community and the best wishes offered with our trip.

It is a difficult time for many people, we understand that, and everyone does their bit in their own way. However, any support we can muster from the local community over the next number of weeks will be welcomed – the more money we can raise, the more lives we can save.

It is also important in my view that being there ‘on the ground’ helps reinforce the message to people in Ukraine that the world stands behind them, they are not alone. This ‘special military operation’ has gone on too long.

Heading out on February 3rd, you can donate to that GoFundMe page right here.