Swindon-headquartered MAN Truck & Bus UK has got together with hauliers Wilmotts Transport and social enterprise Phoenix Enterprises to transport aid lorries to help people caught up in the Ukrainian conflict.
Ukrainian Taras Pavlik who lives in Freshbrook
For Ukrainian Taras Pavlik, 38, who currently lives in Freshbrook, Swindon's response to the conflict happening in his homeland has been exceptional and he has been volunteering to give as much help as he can.
He said: "The generosity of the people of Swindon has been fantastic but we need more.
"My parents and my sister and her children live in Kyiv and I have been beside myself with worry on a daily basis. Every morning I speak to them and it has been a frantic time. They are safe so far fortunately.
"My sister is a keyworker so she is staying where she is but I would love to get my parents over here. Just to get them out of harm's way. They say they are doing all they can to fight the Russians and I'm to do all I can to help from where I am. That is why I've been volunteering."
On Monday, a 44-tonne lorry will leave Swindon filled to the brim with essential aid for Ukraine. It will be travelling 2,000 miles to Lublin in Poland where charities on the ground will get the aid to where it is needed most.
The journey is thanks to volunteers like Taras and Phoenix Enterprises, an independent social enterprise whose commercial activities support training and employment opportunities for people in the Swindon area with mental health issues.
Phoenix Enterprises has acted as a hub for the dropping off and sorting of donations to be sent out to help.
Mike Bowden, of Phoenix Enterprises, said: "We need to be doing as much as we can to help the situation in Ukraine and we are so grateful to everyone that has donated as well as the companies that have come forward to get the aid to where it is needed. But we still need more. Soon we'll hopefully have a new sorting station to help so watch this space."
Two companies who have stepped forward to help in the relief effort are MAN Truck & Bus Ltd, who are headquartered in Blagrove, and Willmotts Transport, who are based near Bristol.
Simon Wood, the press and PR Manager of MAN Truck & Bus Ltd, said: "As a business headquartered in Swindon when the war started in Ukraine we knew we had to do something.
"And with the help of Phoenix Enterprises and Wilmotts we are going to be able to directly help people within Ukraine. For us it was about doing all we could and we're so glad that we've been able to provide monies for and set up this much-need relief trip from Swindon.
"We are also working with RAF Brize Norton, helping them with transport solutions too when it comes to aid, as well as funding other transport runs from the UK to the Poland/Ukraine border. We've also had another four vehicle convoy helped by haulier JAD Trans Scotland which carried over 25,000 litres of bottled water as well as baby boxes, sanitary ware, food and prams."
Paul Cox will be driving the Willmotts Lorry over to Lublin in Poland. He said: "It'll take about 35 hours to get over there. But, from experience, when we get to Poland we do get a warm welcome as soon as they see the UK sticker on the lorry as they know it will be carrying the much-needed aid."
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland popped to the MAN offices in Blagrove on Thursday to talk to them about the set-up of the aid trip.
He said: "I have been delighted to see the community effort of volunteers like Taras and the companies that have come together to put this extraordinary relief effort into motion.
"It just shows the determination that the community in Swindon has for helping others in need."
If you would like to help you can donate provisions to Phoenix Enterprises based in Athena Avenue in Elgin Industrial Estate or contact the social enterprise by emailing [email protected] or visit the website at www.phoenixenterprises.co.uk
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