Enfield Chase Rotary Club helped fill the van with essential supplies before it was driven to the warzone in Eastern Europe, write Alexandros Ioannides

Vital life-saving supplies donated by Enfield residents are being delivered to the warzone in Ukraine.

Members of Enfield Chase Rotary Club have dispatched the minibus filled with humanitarian aid to the warzone in Eastern Europe. The vehicle has a long history of serving the community, but is no longer needed by the club and will instead help people hundreds of miles away.

Before leaving the UK, the minibus was carefully packed with essential supplies and toiletries collected by Rotary members and local supporters.

Mobility aids gathered by the club formed part of the supplies, alongside medical equipment and practical items such as blankets, incontinence pads, walking sticks and other vital supplies.

Rotarian Christine Clark told the Dispatch: “It’s incredible that something originally donated to help people in Enfield is now helping people thousands of miles away.”

Thanks to the efforts of Kathy Worral and Alan Hilliar, from Essex charity Felsted Aid for Deeds, the vehicle has now begun its mission delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Kathy said: “That vehicle will be like gold to them [in Ukraine], it’ll be a vital aid and a great gift that Rotary gave.”

She added: “Thank you for supporting the community, whether in the UK or Ukraine.”

The appeal for donations received strong support from local residents with members of the community responding generously after the Rotary club shared the appeal both locally and through neighbourhood Facebook groups, helping to gather a wide range of useful items to send overseas.

The response demonstrated the strength of community spirit in Enfield, with many residents keen to contribute to the effort.

The vehicle forms part of a wider convoy of four vans travelling from the UK, each filled with humanitarian supplies destined for communities affected by the ongoing conflict following the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago. One of the vehicles in the convoy is set to be used as an ambulance close to the front line.

Rotary clubs across the region remain committed to humanitarian work, continuing to organise aid collections and support international relief efforts wherever possible regardless of worldwide events

For the Rotarians involved and the many Enfield residents who supported the appeal, the project highlights the true spirit of community service; people coming together to help others, no matter how far away they may be, bridging borders and supporting those in need.

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