Fermoy couple join convoy of hope to assist Ukraine families

A PENSIONER who opened up his home to two families from Kyiv, and is now travelling to Ukraine as part of a humanitarian aid convoy, has urged Irish people to continue to support the war-torn country.

Ukrainian mother-of-one Alyona Holubinka, and her son Vova, moved into the home of Sandy and Maggie Blackley in Fermoy in April of last year. They were joined by her university friend, Liena Zverova, and her son Vlad. The women and children have integrated well in spite of the pain of being separated from their loved ones back home.

Mr Blackley says that it has been a “privilege” and an “enriching experience” to host the two kind and friendly women and their adorable boys.

On Friday, Sandy will be part of a 10-vehicle convoy driving 4x4 vehicles of humanitarian aid out to Ukraine.

The vehicles will carry mobility aids and medical supplies for many elderly and disabled people who have remained in Ukraine, as well as rehabilitation aids for soldiers who are being wounded at the front on a daily basis.

The 4x4s will be left in Ukraine for use by the support services, and the participants will be flying back at their own expense.

The ferry costs from Rosslare to Cherbourg, together with fuel costs, will be met by general fundraising through Love Ukraine Benefit Alliance.

However, Sandy says that each pair of drivers is responsible for sourcing and funding a suitable vehicle in which to make the 2,000-mile trip to the Ukrainian border where they hand over the supplies.

“I have two [vehicles] bought, and a horse trailer because the vehicles don’t carry a whole lot. I was given a good old horse trailer. I got tyres at a discount and parts at half price,” said Sandy.

BORDER CROSSING

“We have a 17-hour crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg and we then have a three-and-a-half-day trip over land to Ukraine. We go about two miles inside the border where we hand over to Ukrainian support services.

“We are carrying gym equipment for rehabilitation, medical equipment and, believe it or not, we are carrying dog food. If you are suffering from trauma, a pet is a great comfort and the reason we are taking dog food over is that some of these soldiers come back wounded and suffering from PTSD.

“They don’t want to come out of their room. But with a companion dog to feed and look after, that doesn’t give orders, and looks up to its master with loving eyes, you form a bond and suddenly you have a purpose in life.

“They are also a lot of stray dogs who have been abandoned and taken in to shelters and they are available to be rehoused as companion jobs.”

Sandy said a vehicle he is driving has already been designated for a young man from an agricultural background who has an older sibling with a brain tumour.

SNIPERS

He says they are taking right-hand-drive vehicles over to Ukraine. Russian snipers aim at the driver so they put a dummy in the passenger seat so the driver gets “some warning they are going to get hit”.

Sandy says he is looking forward to the trip as he is retired, fit, and his time is his own.

He adds that Irish people are “enormously generous”.

He continues to urge Irish people to host Ukrainians.

“We are still looking for people to host all the time. I have been to hosting meetings all over the country. I spent two days at the Ploughing Championships at a stand [for Helping Irish Hosts]. They picked up 23 hosts over the course of three days.

“Helping Irish Hosts will always help to disentagle a relationship if it goes wrong. They are a good organisation and have a protocol for all the issues that people might meet when hosting, including what happens when there is a bereavement within the host family or the guest family. There is excellent support.”

Donations can be made to the Love Ukraine Benefit Alliance fundraiser here.