Farm vehicles in drive to help Ukraine as war enters third year

Four-wheel drive vehicles are being sent from farms in Scotland to the frontline of Ukraine’s war against Russia.

The charity Pick-Ups For Peace is preparing its tenth convoy to hand over to the military and emergency services.

It will bring the tally of vehicles they’ve sent to Ukraine to more than 300, as the second anniversary of the invasion approaches on February 24.

Mark Laird, co-founder of the charity, has prepared around 50 vehicles at his farm near Forfar in Angus.

“Shortly after the invasion we put our heads together, a number of us, and said ‘what can we really do?’

“It was clear from Ukrainian sources, including the 24th Lviv Brigade, that pick-up trucks were in urgent need,” he explained.

“Four-wheel drive vehicles that can move across either farmland or stone roads quickly, that can move people who have been injured and sadly dead people, back to safer areas.”

Aid is being sent to Ukraine to hand over to military and emergency services

The vehicles are mainly donated by farmers and businesses, from a Mitsubishi pick-up used on a sheep farm to a Range Rover bought at auction.

They are repaired and serviced to MOT standard then sprayed NATO green in readiness for their new role.

Volunteers will drive the 1,400 mile journey to Ukraine in convoys of up to 30 vehicles at a time.

Each is packed with supplies including generators, chain saws, spare tyres, tools, food, first aid kits and clothing.

At a military based in Lviv, they are blessed by a priest then handed over.

“We’ll keep taking trucks out until this war is won by the Ukrainians,” added Mark.

“We’re going into a country which is being continuously attacked by Russia, being shelled.

“Our trips there involve meeting soldiers who have lost limbs, families who have lost loved ones.

“We make a visit to military cemetery in Lviv and in the time we’ve been going it’s incredibly sad to see how the number of graves has grown and grown and grown.

“There are young lads who have given their lives not only for Ukraine, but for European security.”

Details on how to donate to Pick-Ups For Peace can be found on the charity’s website: www.pickupsforpeace.co.uk/