BORDERING ON THE RIDICULOUS

A SCOTTISH charity trying to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine is stuck at its border with Poland - and now faces a £10,000 fine.

- ELIZABETH HUNTER

The convoy of fire engines set off last week to provide life-saving equipment to Ukraine including generators, water supplies, and firefighting equipment.

“ The team, led by Ukr Scottish Emergency Rescue Association founder Gary Bennett, arrived in Poland on Sunday with what they claim is the right paperwork.

But changes made to Polish rules on convoys resulted in SERA drivers and fire engines being fined a total of £10,000.

Now, the vital machinery is stuck in a compound near the border, as SERA tries desperately to waive the fines to deliver the much-needed aid.

Colin Renwick, a volunteer at SERA, explained that Ukrainian volunteers have been travelling hundreds of miles to pick up equipment that can be safely removed from the fire engines.

"We left to transport much needed supplies and equipment over to Ukraine, including generators and water pumps," said Colin.