Taking aid to Ukraine 'is in my heart now'

Joshua Katihrob and Kayleigh Jones said they wanted to do something for people in Ukraine

A woman who took part in a convoy driving aid to Ukraine has said it was the "most emotional thing" she had done and hoped to repeat it one day.

Kayleigh Jones, from Wem, said she decided to get involved with her partner Josh Katihrob, because his family was originally from Ukraine.

They fundraised to buy a truck and supplies and then joined others from the Convoy 4 Ukraine group.

She said it took five days to take the aid to the Lviv area and said when they got there they heard "unbelievable" stories of everyday life from the people living there.

The couple left the UK on 16 September and have just returned, after leaving their vehicle with the Ukrainians.

Mr Katihrob's family fled Ukraine during World War Two and Ms Jones said: "We always wanted to give something back."

The pair of them bought a truck from a man in Shrewsbury and collected tinned food, wheelchairs, walking sticks and useful everyday items such as wet wipes and nappies.

She said they were on the road for up to 15 hours a day on the journey across Europe.

When they reached their destination, she said the first thing that hit her was that "every single person that was working on the border was a woman," because all the men were away fighting.

She said it had been a "bit of a reality check" for her, but it was "just the norm for them".

Kayleigh Jones said they had some "very, very" long days on the road to Ukraine

While they were delivering the aid, she said the people there showed them photos and talked about their everyday life.

Ms Jones said one woman told her about her 11-year-old son shouting every time a rocket went over.

The family had to go and hide in a shelter, but she said: "She was saying that her son doesn't fully understand and gets all excited for the rockets.

"It's everyday life for them, it's just normal and that's just unbelievable."

After leaving eight trucks in Ukraine, the Convoy 4 Ukraine group started the long journey home, but Ms Jones said it would not be her last trip.

"It is in my heart now," she said.