Cheddar men take aid to Ukraine

Jerry Winchester and Andy Derrick, working closely with Ukraine Aid - UK2KRK, a small charity in Weston-super-Mare, and local partners in Poland, Slavic Mission in Europe, have returned from delivering a van-load of medical supplies, food, water, and toiletries to the Polish-Ukraine border.


Andy Derrick

Jerry, a 68-year-old retiree, said watching news of the war in Ukraine and the devastating impact it was having on people living there made it impossible for him to do nothing.

Andy Derrick, 42, also joined the mission. He came to the rescue by swapping his handyman service to provide humanitarian aid, volunteering as a co-driver, and donating the use of his work van.


A collection point where the men from Cheddar brought their donations

Jerry, who is already planning a second mission, said: "I think lots of people in the Cheddar Valley feel the same way but have to work, or have family commitments that mean they can't volunteer.

“Being retired meant I could help deliver the aid when it was needed. Many of the refugees have left their homes in Ukraine with just the clothes they are wearing. I just wanted to do something practical to help - and quickly."

The aid mission was only possible thanks to donations from the local community. For a while the trip was in jeopardy when Jerry was unable to find a suitable vehicle.

Jerry and Andy delivered the aid to a large storage depot in Krakow and then went on to a disused Tesco supermarket complex that is being used to shelter refugees, distribute the donations as well as provide emergency shelter to those right on the border with Ukraine.

Jerry also added: "It has been a privilege to be able to deliver the aid to Ukraine and know that the donated medicine, food, water, and even sweets for the children as they stand for hours in long queues will get to the people who need it most.

“But I now know, as well as aid, we need to be able to physically transport refugees to a place of safety.”

Some days there are thousands of refugees arriving at the Polish border and there is a shortage of vehicles to drive them to safety.

Jerry's plan is to track down an old but roadworthy people-carrier and go back as soon as possible with more aid and then join the rescue efforts taking families to homes in Poland and Germany.

The whole situation is very fluid and the situation on the ground is constantly changing so in the event that Jerry is unable to make the journey at the last minute any and all funds raised will be donated to Ukraine Aid.

Anyone wishing to date can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/cheddar-man-with-van-takes-aid-to-ukraine