Volunteers to drive vehicle full of aid to Ukraine

The group will drive the Toyota Hilux from Bristol to the Ukrainian city of Lviv

A group of friends are set to drive a vehicle full of aid from Bristol to Ukraine.

Natalie Chick, Lewis Lloyd, Alice Banahan and Christian Knight all work for the ambulance service in Bristol and plan to make a three-day trip across Europe to deliver a Toyota Hilux and medical supplies to the city of Lviv.

The group will leave on 27 March and hope to gather more equipment and donations before setting off on the 1,318-mile (2,121km) journey.

"We're still £1,700 short of the total that we need so donations are really important and we have space for more medical aid as well," said Mr Knight.

The vehicle and a large portion of the aid have been provided by the charity Driving Ukraine - with the rest coming through donations and fundraisers.

It includes trauma kits, tourniquets and other equipment designed to treat the type of wounds soldiers might sustain.

"Literally every piece of equipment counts and the more we have of it the better," said Mr Knight.

Despite the danger of the journey, the group is determined to make the trip.

"There's a lot more going on and that puts more pressure on us when we're over there but now is the best time to go," said Ms Chick.

"We know we're putting ourselves at risk but we know the help is needed and we can provide it."

Upon arrival, the vehicle will be painted in camouflage colours and potentially fitted with a device to jam drone signals to help protect it from attacks.