Portmahomack man heads out on Ukraine refugee mercy mission

Backpacks filled with love will bring a smile to the faces of young Ukrainian refugees sheltering in a Polish school ­— with a helping hand from a Portmahomack man.

The bags are part of the latest consignment of humanitarian aid this week en route to Poland.

This came about through Lochgilphead nurse, Marta Skuza who has family working in the Szkolno-Przedszkolny Piaseczno, just outside Warsaw, which is now home to approximately 50 children who fled the conflict in Ukraine.

Marta contacted the group Lochgilphead and Surrounding Area Helps Ukraine and together they put together aid packages which were mainly supported by donations and an on-line wish list.

This week the youngsters will each receive a colourful bag pack, filled with personalised items, drawings and messages, and lots of treats.

The responsibility of delivering the brightly coloured bags to the children falls to Sam Hicks from Portmahomack, volunteer driver, who will also drop off supplies to a local centre that supports Ukrainian woman living in Poland.

This is Sam’s second mercy mission and he will be joined on the journey by Wyatt Noakes from Aberdeen.

On the return journey Sam will transport several refugees, and a dog, back to the UK where they will be met by their host families from Ayrshire and England.

Sam has so far raised £1,645 to help with the trip through his ‘go fund me’ page, ‘Donations for Ukraine’ page which is still open for anyone wishing to help him on his way

And, thanks to local community donations, the group was able to boost Sam’s travel fund with an additional £500 towards the cost of fuel, ferry fares, and accommodation.

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