CENTRAL Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has paid a personal visit to Mid Devon resident Joe Bussell to thank him for his extraordinary efforts in collecting and then driving humanitarian aid to Ukraine. 

Joe, who lives near Shobrooke, made three trips to Komarno volunteer Unity Group in Ukraine.

During his second journey he delivered specialist medical items to Lviv Hospital and during his third journey Joe delivered further specialist medical supplies as well as food and a generator to a military command post in Kyiv.

He then organised donations for a fourth trip, made by a colleague from Love Bristol Ukraine, with a transit van fully loaded with aid taken to Komarno.

Joe is now in the process of preparing another transit which will be donated and delivered to Ukraine in August.

Mr Stride has helped more than 100 Ukrainian refugees reach his Central Devon constituency by assisting with visa applications and passport problems and has been personally sanctioned by the Kremlin for his work on imposing sanctions on Putin’s regime. 

After visiting Joe, Mel said: “Driving thousands of miles to and from a country under siege to take aid directly from our constituency to those in need in Ukraine is absolutely amazing. Although we had communicated via email about his trips, I really wanted to thank Joe in person.”

Joe added: “It was very good of Mel to take time out of his busy schedule to come and see me – I’m just trying to do my bit to provide help to innocent people who have been so brutally and unjustifiably attacked.”

Anyone who is able to donate items for Joe’s fifth trip can see him at the Silverton Street Market on August 5 or get in touch on 01392 851455 or 07590 471234.

Joe is particularly keen on securing medical supplies, toiletries, and dry foods.