Railway club sends miniature scenery to Ukraine

A box full of scenery, like the above, was sent to a model railway club in Ukraine

A model railway club in Leicestershire has sent a box of miniature scenery including grass, people, and hedges to a club in Ukraine.

Soar Valley Model Railway Club (SVMR), in Loughborough, said it responded to a request for donations after a club, which enjoyed the same hobby and was based at a university in Ukraine, lost all of its kit in a bombing.

John Elliott, vice chairman of SVMR, said they also sent model trees, fencing, and plastic kits complete with glue.

He said the club based in Mykolaiv "was overjoyed" when he told them the kit was in the post.

Mr Elliott said hopefully the Ukrainian club would receive the scenery successfully

Mr Elliott said the professor he has been in contact with in Mykolaiv told him he had contacted other model railway clubs across England, but his was the only one which had responded.

He said: "From there on we have been sort of pen pals.

"He has been telling me about the bombings and destruction around him, which was a bit horrific.

"They have their own model railway club. Unfortunately, the bombs blew it to pieces. So he had to set it up in his private house.

"Unfortunately for them, there is no material for them. I asked all the members of my club if they would contribute."

SVMR's members filled a box, 18in by 18in in size, with scenery.

The clubs hope to form a long-lasting partnership

He said it was posted about 30 days ago, but they expected the box to arrive in 40 to 50 days.

Mr Elliott hoped the relationship might be ongoing, and said, if the first box gets there safely, they would send some more.

He said: "We are all hoping [it gets there] so we can carry on with the connection, maybe one day - you never know - we might go over and see them or vice versa."

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