Leamington Spa – [DATE] 2023. A team of local volunteers completed a humanitarian mission to Ukraine last week, delivering vital medical supplies and emergency vehicles to those affected by the ongoing war.

The XXX-strong team took two ambulances and two 4x4s on a three-day, XXX mile journey through the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland before reaching Ukraine. Pairs of volunteers took responsibility for each vehicle, with the rest of the team providing vital support to the group.

Matt Western MP drove alongside XXX’s Peter Mason; His Honour Anthony Cleary OBE partnered with David Blick from the Warwickshire Gin Company; Charles Rogers and George Eden from XXX drove together, and the fourth vehicle was driven by Dawid Kozlowski and Chris Brown from Tamworth-based LKQ Euro Car Parts. 

Dawid is an active member of the Leamington Spa Polish centre, which together with his employer LKQ Euro Car Parts has raised just under £200,000 and sent more than 200 tonnes of aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in January last year.

The journey began in Leamington Spa, as the team collected supplies and donations from the Aid for Ukraine shop in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, and from Medical Aid Ukraine, run by Dr Tania Hebert. Their channel crossing from Folkestone was generously paid for by Eurotunnel. 

The destination for most of the group was the small town of Lezajsk in eastern Poland, home to a central hub for humanitarian aid for Ukraine, from where more than 2,000 lorries have carried aid across the border.

Matt, Anthony and Dave headed from Lezajsk into Ukraine itself, where they were welcomed by Deputy Commander of the 45th Airborne Assault Brigade, Konstantin Oleinyk, and two other officers – who had travelled all the way from the Donbas area to express their gratitude for the team’s support. 

Richard Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “It is truly humbling to see so many people – local residents and LKQ Euro Car Parts colleagues in all corners of the country – pool effort and resources to help families in Ukraine who need urgent support.  The effort so far is admirable and this is by no means the end – we will all continue to do whatever we can to fundraise and gather much-needed donations that we know make a real difference on the ground.”

Matt Western MP added: “Leamington Spa's support for Ukraine stands as a shining example of compassion, solidarity, and international cooperation. It was a huge privilege to be part of the trip and we will carry with us the knowledge that our efforts – on behalf of the residents of Leamington Spa – have touched the hearts and lives of people whose lives continue to be affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This is proof that acts of kindness know no borders.”