Convoy leaves to provide medical aid to Ukraine

Some Daffodil Weekend members making the trip expected to be back on Friday

Volunteers have started a 13,000 mile trip to give aid to people in Ukraine.

Daffodil Weekend committee members from Thriplow in Cambridgeshire will drive for four days as part of a 14-vehicle convoy to deliver medical support.

The "big, ugly, green" truck named Shrek will make the journey carrying generators, nappies and medical supplies, with other Convoy4Ukraine vehicles also carrying wheelchairs, crutches and clothing.

Paul Earnshaw, one of the volunteers, said: "It's super important. We can't solve the politics but we can help the people and that's what we're all about here."

Daffodil Weekend has paid for the 4x4 which they will leave in Ukraine along with medical aid

Mr Earnshaw, chairman of the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend committee, said the village had a long association with Ukraine.

"When the war first broke out {in February 2022] Daffodil Weekend bought an ambulance and sent it out to Ukraine. We have continued that relationship since," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"When the opportunity came for Convoy4Ukraine, and to sponsor a vehicle, we jumped at it and we are ready."

Fergus Ramsay will be making the trip for a second time.

"[Last time] we did notice the lack of younger people, apart from young mothers, because anyone of middle age is helping out in other areas - especially on the east side [of Ukraine]."

Some Daffodil Weekend members making the trip expected to be back on Friday.

They said they planned to use some of the journey time to make calls and plan ahead for this year's flower event in their village, near Duxford, on 22 and 23 March.

"We are as prepared as we can be," says Paul Earnshaw