Couple travel to Ukraine with donated vehicle

Katie and Ed said the journey was an incredible experience

A couple from Glastonbury, Somerset, have driven 1,318 miles (2,121km) to Ukraine to deliver a vehicle to the frontline in the war with Russia.

Ed Chalmers and Katie Hines travelled from Oxford to Lviv, Western Ukraine, in a 4x4 they dubbed 'Hilda' which will be used to evacuate injured soldiers.

Ms Hines told BBC Radio Somerset: "As soon as we arrived in the workshop in Lviv, Hilda was immediately taken by two volunteers.

"We hadn't even switched off the engine before the vehicle was emptied, kitted out and taken off for its new life on the frontline. It was amazing."

Mr Chalmers, 36, and Ms Hines, 35, travelled for three days in a convoy of several other vehicles.

The convoy was organised by Driving Ukraine - a group set up at the start of the war to deliver vehicles to the country.

Mr Chalmers said: "We drove through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Poland before spending two hours at the border with Ukraine sorting paperwork."

Ms Hines added: "Hilda did really well. We had no problems mechanically but a couple of the other vehicles had problems. A few hot radiators."

Ed and Katie took a similar vehicle to Ukraine

Mr Chalmers said: "We had lots of support when we were driving along.

"We met people from Norway, America and Belgium - all going in the same direction trying to provide as much aid as possible."

Ms Hines added: "We bumped into people at services and shared stories and made connections in order to work out how best to help.

"We also had a lot of honking horns and flashing lights, so it's given us a real boost."

Mr Chalmers and Ms Hines will use a mixture of public transport to get back home to Somerset.

A fundraising page has also been set up for the journey which has, so far, raised more than £5,000.

Mr Chalmers said: "The money will pay for the petrol, the paperwork to get to Ukraine and modifications to the vehicle, such as new tyres and paint."