Louth man travels to Ukraine to deliver aid

Castlebellingham man, Philip Price recently returned from Ukraine where he journeyed with 15 others to deliver aid. 

On Friday 24th November the eight vehicles, six four wheel drives, a minibus and a large van and two large trailers left for Rosslare port. 

On arrival in France on Saturday they drove over 500km to the Belgian border. 

At 4.30am on Sunday morning the convoy drove approximately 1000 km across Belgium and Germany to the Polish border.

Monday saw them then travel the width of Poland, another 600km. 

On Tuesday morning the convoy arrived at the Ukraine border and at this stage there was about a foot of snow which combined with some procedural delays saw the convoy being held up for eight hours at the border. 

In the dark they went to a prearranged meeting point where they were met by a Catholic priest from near the front along with a number of soldiers and civilians. 

Each of the Irish were presented with a fluffy heart made by children from a village near the war front with one side depicting the Irish flag and on the reverse the Ukraine flag. 

One of the group, Sandy Blakey from Fermoy has hosted two women and their children since the outbreak of the war. 

The husband of one of the ladies travelled 640k non stop to meet him for the first time and to hug him and say thanks for looking after his family in what was a very emotional scene. 

Having handed over all aid including 50 wheelchairs, 70 pairs of crutches, fireman’s clothes, boots, fire extinguishers and assorted aid for children and adults, documents were signed and the vehicles were left with the locals. 

The 4x4s headed to the front and the other vehicles were to be used for ferrying personnel around. 

The Irish party made their way back to Krakow in Poland from where they flew home to Ireland.