I TOOK MY SON TO A WAR ZONE

Lad, 10, joins mum after inspiring her to aid Ukraine troops

- PATRICK HILL AND MARIO LAGHOS

A BRITISH mum and her 10-year-old son put their lives on the line in a mission to deliver frontline aid to Ukrainian troops.

Housewife Clare Wilson, 46, young son William and 24-year-old nephew Sam dodged the threat of air attacks during a six-day trip.

And while she said her husband Jeremy was proud of her decision, she admitted she faced resistance from their two daughters, aged six and seven, over the perilous journey.

Recalling how her mobile began to sound air raid alerts even as they reached Ukraine, Clare said: "As we sat on the border, we had two air raid warnings on our phones.

"It was frightening - it made us realise what we were doing. I appreciate I've taken my son and my nephew into a war zone, but it's as safe as it can be."

Clare and Jeremy had considered going on the mercy mission together, but ruled it out fearing they could both be killed making orphans of their three children.

SUPPLIES

Clare, William and Sam set off from their village in Somerset on June 11 on a 1,400-mile road trip in a £3,500 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4.

Bought on eBay with cash raised by family and friends, it was packed with battlefield supplies, including tourniquets and splints. And it was given to Ukrainian forces for use as a combat ambulance as soon as they reached Lviv on June 14.

Clare said the mission was sparked by her son after their village became home to a number of Ukrainian refugees.