FROM THE ISLAND WITH LOVE: ISLE OF WIGHT AID REACHES UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

Wootton man Daniel Williams has driven a minibus loaded with donations from the Isle of Wight to the Ukrainian border.

Former Ryde School student Daniel Williams – who fled Ukraine with his young family a fortnight ago – returned to Eastern Europe with vital supplies for those escaping the Russian invasion of their country. His aid mission to the Ukrainian border was broadcast on BBC news bulletins throughout last week.

Daniel set off on his journey from the Isle of Wight on the 6:45 ferry on Tuesday (8th March), picking up a minibus at Chiswick, London, together with his travelling companion the Reverend Richard Moy. The pair then took the 13:15 ferry from Dover to Calais, reaching Krakow in Poland midday on Wednesday despite breaking down in Belgium.

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On Wednesday evening, Daniel and Richard handed over sleeping bags, thermal clothing, and medical equipment (amongst other useful items) at the Ukraine border. The following morning, they spent £1 200 on cereal bars, children’s clothes, and baby food, which was taken to 2 nearby refugee centres.

The minibus was then used to transport 15 refugees to places of safety among their friends and relatives in Europe. On his way home, Daniel and Richard carried Ukrainians to Warsaw and Berlin before dropping off a woman, child and cat in Hannover, Germany. Their Ukrainian interpreter was taken to Holland. Daniel finally arrived home on the Isle of Wight at 17:00 on Friday evening.

When asked what the situation was like on the Polish-Ukrainian border, Daniel said:

“It’s very orderly in Poland, but chaos on the Ukrainian side. It’s taking the Ukrainians 5 to 6 minutes to process everyone. They are trying to prevent criminals and men escaping army service from crossing the border.

“Poles have been super-efficient. Polish people have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Refugees have been taken to reception centres with soup kitchens and mattresses and then transported to the cities.

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When asked what Islanders should give to help Ukrainians, Daniel said:

“Think before you donate. There’s so much stuff going to waste. For example, quilts are no good because they get damp and musty on the journey, and they do not have any washing machines. But because of the work of the MAD Aid organisation in East Cowes, not so much from the Island is wasted.

“Don’t send food. Refugees don’t have kitchens, so there is nowhere for them to cook it. In particular, don’t send tinned food because Ukrainians don’t eat this. Send them money to buy food in Poland.

“Do put in a little note in if you are sending aid. For example, a woman used google translate to send little notes in female hygiene packs. This personal touch meant a lot to the women who received them.

“Ukrainians are very appreciative of the help they have received. The Isle of Wight was used as an example of how ordinary people in the West are helping with the Ukrainian cause in a speech in their parliament. A deputy showed a picture of the MAD Aid charity effort in East Cowes during a plenary session.

When asked if there was anyone he would like to thank for helping donate to the aid mission, Daniel said:

“I’d like to thank Mark Greenslade for the money donated for walkie-talkies for use in rescue missions. Aid coordinator Sergei – who received the walkie-talkies – told me these would go to Ukraine tonight and save lives the next day

“I’d also like to express my gratitude to former Ryde School friends Helen Gorbutt, Stephanie Burgess, and Melanie Ernst, whose generous donations funded the trip to Lidl to purchase supplies. I’d like to mention Robbie Jones from Ryde Babysitting Club, whose money was spent on children’s thermal suits.

“I want to thank the woman who donated a teddy bear. 5-year-old Sophia – who we dropped off at her aunt’s house in Hannover – was overjoyed to receive this.”