County Durham Labour leader, Cllr Carl Marshall is leading an aid convoy to Poland to distribute donations and medical supplies collected for people of Ukraine.
The Stanley Division councillor has been joined by Cllr Kevin Shaw of Dawdon Division and Cllr Jake Miller of Trimdon and Thornley Division and 11 other volunteer drivers, including retired servicemen, for the mercy dash, having all been moved by the scenes broadcast across news channels.
The fleet of seven vans will drive supplies to the Polish city of Lublin to distribute goods donated by people in County Durham direct to the frontline.
He is working with the Polish Centre in Newcastle, which is organising several donation drives from across the North East, over the past weeks.
Cllr Marshall said:
“Having watched the harrowing scenes unfold over the past few weeks and feeling totally helpless, I volunteered to drive to and deliver aid to the Poland/ Ukraine border and it has lifted my heart to be joined by so many others keen to help out.
“The Newcastle Polish Centre is doing an incredible job, acting as a collection hub for literally tons of generous donations from people across the region. However, they do have a limited number of vehicles and while they’re currently doing everything they can, they have more donations than they could possibly deliver with the vans available to them.
“It was a simple decision for me, we had to help. I will be heading to the Polish Centre today (Wednesday March 16) to fill up the van and leave for Poland in a convoy made up of councillors, business people and residents who are simply eager to help.”
Cllr Marshall said the generosity of the people of County Durham shone through, and was proud to play a small role in delivering contributions to the places they’re needed most.
“At a time when we are in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis, spiralling fuel bills and energy costs, and rising taxes, the generosity of the people of County Durham and wider North East have continued to shine through,” added Cllr Marshall.
“What is happening in Ukraine is genocide on our doorstep. That Europe could be plunged into war is terrifying, but also something that must not stand. We must show solidarity and offer support to those people turned into refugees by Putin’s illegal war.”
Cllr Marshall thanked the Stanley and County Durham community for supporting his relief run, with local mechanics, van hire firms, Labour colleagues and Stanley residents all contributing to the effort.
Cllr Kevin Shaw said:
“To be able to do something that will have a direct impact on people fighting on the frontline is incredibly humbling. Our vans are loaded with medical supplies and literally miles of bandages that will be transported directly to soldiers fighting Russian invaders.
“It has been emotional to witness the generosity of the people of County Durham and it will be our honour to carry their donations to the people that need them most.”
Stephenson Mohl MD, Mark Stephenson is also joining the convoy. He said:
“It’s heartbreaking that we need to do this, but strangely positive as well. What we are seeing, from around the world, is the worst of what humanity is capable of being confronted by the very best.
“We must all keep listening, engaging and giving. The people of Ukraine depend upon us.”