Farmers deliver more pick-ups to war-torn Ukraine

British farmers and other industry stakeholders have just completed the delivery of another 38 pick-up trucks and vans to Ukraine – the 26th successful mission by UK charity Pick-ups for Peace as part of the resistance against the illegal invasion by Russia.

The latest convoy arrived in the west Ukrainian city of Lviv on Friday evening (24 April), with the vehicles handed over to various Ukrainian organisations the following day.

See also:  Farm pickups take emotional journey to Ukraine war

So far Pick-ups for Peace, co-founded by farmers Mark Laird, Keith Dawson, Alastair Stewart and Vince Gillingham in February 2023, has organised 27 convoys and delivered more than 850 four-wheel drive vehicles, vans and ambulances to Ukraine, with the help of about 1,500 drivers.

The vehicles, which are either donated or purchased using funds raised by the charity in the UK, are typically used for front-line service, such as medical evacuations and other humanitarian purposes.

They have a typical life expectancy of about six months once in service.

Defender 

One farmer involved in the latest trip to Ukraine is Tony Parr – a potato grower from Cambridgeshire – who purchased a second-hand Land Rover Defender, then drove it solo the 1,400 miles to Lviv.

“I enjoy the solitude of driving alone, but was glad to meet up with the rest of the convoy at Wroclaw in Poland, before driving the remaining six or seven hours to the border, where we all cross together,” he told Farmers Weekly.

As well as the vehicle, Mr Parr was carrying items for an orphanage, which he was able to visit on the trip.

Having made the journey several times before, Mr Parr says it is more important than ever to continue showing support for the Ukrainian people who he describes as “so resilient and so hospitable”.

“They are so pleased we are doing this and it sends the important message that they are not forgotten,” he said. 

Trooper

David Hamilton and Philip Sleigh © P4P

Another participant was David Hamilton, who works for JCB dealership Scot Agri near Edinburgh, and has been making trips with Pick-ups for Peace since December 2023.

His vehicle this time was an Isuzu Trooper. “It was generously donated by one of our customers, but we had to get it through its MOT, before driving down to Newcastle and taking the ferry to Amsterdam,” he said.

Like Mr Parr, he says it is important to deliver the vehicles in person.

“We could just load them on to a transporter, but then the Ukrainians would not be able to witness the support and thank us directly. Also, we would not be able to carry all the additional aid we have on board,” he said.

© P4P

Mr Hamilton’s vehicle was loaded up with spare wheels and tyres, plus a welder someone had donated.

On one previous outing, he delivered a consignment of 500 body bags, as well as boxes of chocolates donated by his local Tesco.

Old fishing nets are also in demand, to provide some protection from drones being used to attack Ukrainian trenches.

“Every tour we do, we go to a graveyard, but now it is full to the limit,” said Mr Hamilton. “It’s pretty sobering when you go and see it, and all the young faces on all the gravestones.”

Donations 

Pick-ups for Peace says it is still very much in the market for continued support.

“While donations of cars and money are still buoyant, we have noticed that the supply of good, second-hand 4x4s in the UK is dwindling and the prices are going up,” said a charity spokesman.

Anyone interested in donating or supplying a vehicle can do so online by visiting pickupsforpeace.co.uk.