Two members of Lions Clubs in Newquay have recently returned from joining the 17th convoy of vehicles from ‘Cornwall and Devon Sending Love to Ukraine’. The group, which is organised by Callington Lion Darren Tait, and wife, Polly, receives and then transports masses of donated equipment and humanitarian supplies from Callington to Warsaw for onward transportation into various parts of war-torn Ukraine.
Lions Peter Bragg and Phil Bunt of Newquay and Towan Blystra Lions Clubs respectively, spend six days together driving one of the large vans over the 2,500 mile round trip with four other vehicles driven by other volunteers including Lion Darren. Both Newquay Lions clubs supported some of the costs of the trip financially and have already transported significant amounts of donated supplies from Newquay to the Callington store for this and other trips.
Peter and Phil took the opportunity to present their Lions bannerets to Ukrainian volunteer Arena Piskovska who was there to meet the convoy in Warsaw where the grateful group she represents expressed their thanks with a traditional Polish meal and some momentos to take back to Cornwall.
Further convoys will be leaving Callington before Christmas and into the new year. The need for children’s clothing, equipment such as wheelchairs and walking aids. medicines and sanitary items such as pads and nappies remains ongoing and Lions Clubs will be pleased to hear from anyone who wishes to donate any items which can be transported to Warsaw for future trips.
Both of the Newquay Lions Clubs contact details can be found on their websites or Facebook pages.