A Leeds-based charity is appealing for supplies ahead of an eight-truck convoy to the Ukrainian border.

Yorkshire Aid Convoy have just returned from transporting more than 120 tons of aid to Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mariupol in Ukraine.

And ahead of their return in two weeks, they’re appealing for specific items and fuel money for their next 4,000km journey.

Gary Dooley, Trustee of Yorkshire Aid Convoy, told Your Harrogate:

“We’ve been going to Eastern Europe with aid for over 30 years now, but since the war in Ukraine we’ve really focused our efforts there.

“We’re looking for donations to take with us, things like tinned food, pasta, rice and flour.

“In terms of medical items, we’ll be taking defibrillators and dressings, wheelchairs, crutches, body braces, hygiene products such as nappies and wipes, folding beds and mattresses – so if anyone can source these goods then please get in touch with the charity.”

The Yorkshire Aid Convoy team.

Gary also noted that there is no longer any need for used clothes, and that it cost around £10,000 in fuel to get the eight trucks to and from Ukraine.

The trucks will journey through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary before reaching the border.

Gary added:

“With the cost of fuel, it’s quite expensive to take eight trucks across Europe and back, so financial donations are very welcome as well!”

LISTEN: Gary Dooley joined Nick Hancock on Your Harrogate to talk about the appeal:

Yorkshire Aid Convoy

The work of The Yorkshire Aid Convoy is constant. Collecting much-needed basic essentials from kind donors and corporate sponsors who offer everything ranging from bicycles to soap powder throughout the year, packing the lorries for an annual distribution mission, plus the actual driving of some 4,000 km to deliver the goods.

All this work is done by unpaid volunteers from all walks of life who take time out of their busy lives to help others.

The Yorkshire Aid convoy liaises closely with local organisations and charities on the ground in Romania and Ukraine to ensure it delivers the type of support and donations most appropriate, as well as identifying institutions such as children’s hospitals or schools that are most in need of help and resources.

Many organisations in Romania and The Ukraine have come to rely solely on The Yorkshire Aid Convoy to make sure they can continue to provide basic healthcare and education services to their communities.

Find out more about the charity and ways to donate to their cause here.

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.