With an aerial bombing to a refugee escape, the latest charity run from north Norfolk to Ukraine was nothing short of eventful.
A group, which was led by North Walsham business Rob Scammell, is returning after delivering 112 generators to an aid organisation in Lviv, close to the wartorn country’s western border.
Also in the group was North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker and Anna Kolomiichuck, a Ukrainian mum who has been living with Mr Baker’s family since fleeing Kyiv with her son last year.
Mr Baker said: “The generators will be going to schools, orphanages, hospitals and vulnerable people in the worst-hit areas.
“For Anna, she was able to reunite with her husband, Vitaly, who like all men must not leave his country.
“It was an emotional scene saying goodbye again.”
While the group was staying overnight in Lviv, an air raid siren went off and guests were sent to the basement for cover.
Russian strikes hit critical infrastructure outside the city in the early hours of Thursday, February 16.
The group later picked up a family consisting of a woman, her 10-year-old daughter and their pet French bulldog Marty, who were fleeing the country after their home had been destroyed. They had already been offered accommodation in Guildford.
Mr Baker said he wanted to thank everyone who had contributed to the £18,500 raised in an appeal before the trip, and to those who had given unused generators, or bought them especially, for people in Ukraine.
Mr Scammell said: "The sheer delight from the aid agency when we emptied our vans made the whole journey worthwhile.
“The resolve of the Ukrainian people, in the face of such evil, is truly inspiring.”
Others on the trip were Paul East, Jayne Morton, Michelle Foulkes and Leon Calder.
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