Humbled by the wonderful Ukrainians

A PLYMOUTH man who has completed his 10th aid mission to help people in Ukraine said he has been 'humbled' by the ongoing gratitude which he has received.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Andreas Evangelou delivered tonnes of aid including three dialysis machines, a caravan and a 4x4 vehicle on his latest trip, joined again by Maksym Litvinov.

The pair have developed a network of contacts including a direct link to Ukrainian charity 'Hope' which links directly to the Zelensky government, and also delivered wheelchairs, medicines and pet food.

Mr Evangelou said two of the dialysis machines were taken on to other hospitals by the Ukraine ministry of health, while other goods are documented and diverted to where it is needed most.

While he was thanked by doctors on delivery of the machines, wheelchairs and medicines, he said it was a trip to buy honey from a local woman which showed the level of appreciation that his efforts are being met with.

He explained: "She was an elderly lady who was looking after beehives on a smallholding in the middle of nowhere, probably 25 miles east of Lviv.

"She spoke no English, and I had to communicate through one of my volunteers.

"She was rattling on in Ukrainian and happy to see someone, and I bought a couple of jars of honey, and she was very appreciative of having some money in her hand.

"Then a couple of minutes later, when they had been talking, she got kind of hysterical and started trying to give the money back to me.