Sheffield man to travel to Ukraine to help abandoned animals

Mr Hales started making trips to Ukraine at the start of the war, shortly after his wife died in January 2022

An animal lover is preparing to travel to Ukraine to deliver pet food and supplies.

Julian Hales has made several trips since the Russian invasion in 2022 and plans to return to the port city of Kherson later this month.

As well as delivering supplies the 52-year-old from Sheffield will also help abandoned street animals.

He said he had been inspired to "do something" following the death of his wife in January 2022 aged 47.

Kherson was captured just days after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, before troops were forced to withdraw in November 2022.

Reflecting on his previous trips Mr Hales said: "Just seeing the state of the animals on the streets in freezing conditions, half blown-up, injured, sick, it's something you can't imagine until you actually see it.

"You can see the photos, you can see the videos, you see people talking, but until you actually get there and experience it and you can touch it, smell it and hear it."

During the visit later this month he said he would work with the support of a Ukrainian helper to round up street dogs and take them to a mobile vet to be spayed or neutered.

The animals are also wormed, vaccinated, tagged and documented before being returned to the street.

Volunteers from Andy's Man Club helped fit a camper unit on the back of Julian Hales' truck of supplies

With he help of volunteers from charity Andy's Man Club, Mr Hales said he had repurposed and insulated a camper unit for the back of his truck to sleep in, with temperatures often dropping below freezing at this time of year.

"I'm not going for five-star luxury," he said. "I just want it warm, dry and a place I can cook and sleep at night."

He said while his wife would have thought he was "crazy" for going he knows she would support him.

"Each time I go over there I hit a really low point, I burst out crying and I just think to myself she's looking down at me and telling me to buck up and carry on, so I do."