Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees

Huge thank you to all donors! Every penny is being used to buy supplies: we leave for Poland on 20 April. Follow this page for progress updates on the journey!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Finally: this trip was really, really hard work – but it’s been a complete privilege to deliver the supplies you’ve funded. We'll spend the remaining £5k on supplies for a second trip. Date tbc, but it will be soon; hopefully also bringing refugees back to UK, visas permitting.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

What have we done with your generous donations? You all donated £11,246 to date; and we’ve separately funded the travel costs. Of the £11,246, we spent approx £6,000 on supplies, and approx £5,000 is still in the bank. We’ll confirm the exact sums when we’ve slept!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

What did we deliver, and what will happen to it? 2 full minibuses of medical supplies, baby food & nappies, sleeping bags, rucksaks, clothing, batteries, dog food, etc etc. By now, some of this will already be in villages in mid-Ukraine – thanks to Ania & Luke and their network.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

The trip by Numbers! Our trip took 52 hours from start to finish; we travelled 2,290 miles; crossed 10 national borders; stopped 10 times for fuel / coffee / food; and averaged approx 6 hours sleep each in total. Everything else is a bit blurred!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

PM Thu 21 to AM Fri 22 Apr. We drove round the clock again, reaching Channel Tunnel mid-morning in spite of unwise French official trying to tell Adrienne the ticket was invalid. After some delay we got back to Edenbridge – our starting point – at 1230.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Thu 21 Apr, PM. From Lublin we drove 5 hrs to Wraclow (Poland) to meet with Luke & Ania, who coordinate a local network distributing humanitarian aid direct to refugees in Ukraine. Since the war they’ve diverted their whole lives to this. Real privilege to meet them. Humbling.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Thu 21 Apr, 1115 local. The drive from UK to Lublin took 25 hrs, very close to plan. Getting back will take longer because we'll need longer stops; but all still in good spirits!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Thu 21 Apr, 1010 local: arrived at the Christians for Ukraine Humanitarian Warehouse, where we delivered our supplies as planned. Great to know that subsequent distribution is in such good hands.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Thu 21 Apr, 0555 local. Greetings from central Poland, 100m to Warsaw, drab misty morning. 5 fuel stops so far, lots of coffee. Good morning to all in UK, time you were waking up?

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Thu 21 Apr, 0211 local. Left Germany behind, cruising through Poland on empty roads. Only 6 hrs left to our destination - and all is well!!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Wed 20 Apr, 1910 local: through Belgium & Netherlands, now in Germany. SO many lorries but traffic OK so far, and hopefully will have clear run through the night. Thanks for all the messages of support!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Wed 20 Apr, 1353 local time: just crossed into Belgium.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Wed 20 Apr, 1230: France. Clear roads, lovely day, morale high!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Wed 20 Apr, 1035: smooth drive to the Eurotunnel, with no queue at all - all going well!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

1700 today: all done - two very full minibuses! Thanks again to EVERYONE who has given either money or supples. All set to depart for Poland tomorrow morning!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

1400 today - vans starting to fill up

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

1000 this morning - lots of supplies to be packed!

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

Big thank you to everyone at the Fountain Inn at Cowden, for donating so much from your raffle!! Fantastic generosity. We will put it to good use.

[Beckmead Express - supplies for Ukrainian refugees @BeckmeadExpress]

And here's the first load of donated supplies, from Adrienne's local community!