Aid Run Diary – July 2025
22nd July
John set off early from Leeds to pick up the Shogun, a 2000 reg Mitsubishi V6, 3000 cc. Old but solid, and big enough to swallow a decent load. He swung down to Marlow to collect me, and then we were on the road. Two of us, one mission: get aid to Ukraine.
The route was straight and familiar: Dover, Calais, Antwerp, Eindhoven, Hanover, Krakow. Eating up the miles, service station after service station. The car ran fine, no quirks worth mentioning, just a steady grunt from an engine that has seen a lot of road.
23rd July
We did not stop overnight. No hotels, no beds, only fuel stops, toilets, and whatever food we could grab on the way. By 5:30am we rolled up to Krakovets, the Ukrainian border. That is when the real challenge started.
The supplies, medical equipment, summer uniforms, and food were heavier than the paperwork declared. Customs were not thrilled. Hours of negotiation, extra forms, and waiting around while they shuffled papers. Easily the hardest part of the run.
Finally, we made it through. Dropped everything off in Bucha, Kyiv. Job done.
On the Road Encounters
Most of the way was just motorways and petrol stations. Nothing much in the way of stories until Lviv, where I managed to grab a couple of hours with my English student. We had a quick tour of the city and some lunch. A strange but grounding pause in the middle of a relentless trip.
The Return
I stayed in Lviv, then grabbed the 05:35 Flixbus the next morning to Krakow, only to get stuck nine hours at Krakovets customs. Missed my 18:00 flight home, of course.
John carried on to Kyiv, stayed a few days, then headed back via Odesa and caught a flight from Chisinau, Moldova.
What I Learned
If there is one tip for anyone doing this, avoid Krakovets unless you have hours, maybe days, of wiggle room. That crossing will test your patience more than the drive itself.
Step into the driver’s seat, face the challenges, and witness firsthand the difference you can make. You don’t need superpowers to change the world, just a vehicle, a mission, and courage. Help today by donating, fundraising, or becoming a driver.
