A LOCAL man who has been collecting Humanitarian Aid for his third trip to Ukraine has issued an appeal for last-minute financial donations to help finance his trip.
Shobrooke man Joe Bussell has spent hour after hour collecting donations from generous members of the public, which he then packs and catalogues for border control purposes.
On Saturday, November 26, Joe collected donated items in Crediton Rugby Club car park.
Joe, who leaves in just a few days, said he is now welcoming financial donations and medicines.
He explained: “On January 24 I leave home with my co-driver at 3am to get to Portsmouth for 8am.
“Brittany Ferries, I cannot thank enough. They are not charging for myself, the van and my co-driver.
“It is a three-day trip, driving during daylight hours.
“I can’t thank enough the people who have donated so far.
“I am taking eight generators, seven of which are currently in for a service.
“These we pack into the bottom of the van with the other donated supplies carefully catalogued and boxed on top.
“I am taking medicines, medical supplies, toiletries, clothes, warm wear items such as ski wear, thermals, coats, fleeces etc plus other items such as food boxes.
Joe said that he had been to Ukraine with aid twice before, in September 2022 to an aid centre in Komarno, just south of Lviv.
He continued: “From that base I delivered several boxes of medical/medicine supplies to Lviv Hospital and the remainder together with boxes of toiletries and food were delivered to the Dnipro military base by the Komarno volunteer drivers.
“All other items such as clothing, toys, toiletries, food, baby items and bedding etc will be distributed to local refugees currently in and around Komarno.”
Joe continued: “I am now making my final plans before departing on the Humanitarian Aid journey to Ukraine on January 24 but I am still a few hundred pounds short of my target of £1,600 to cover the costs involved.
“If you are able to help financially please do so via my Just Giving crowdfunding account which is listed on my Facebook Page "Joe Bussell”.
“I will be posting regular updates during my trip and then a summary report when I return to the UK in February.
“Many thanks once again to everybody that has assisted me over the recent months.
“SLAVA UKRAYANI”.
Cash donations can also be left at the “Crediton Courier” office, marked for the attention of Joe Bussell.