Call for Ukraine donations as 2,000 mile trip beckons for Jerry

A man who is set to take on another humanitarian trip to a war-torn country is calling on people to help him by donating supplies.

Jerry Cuthbert, from East Harling, has made several trips to Ukraine since the ongoing conflict with Russia started in February 2022 and has personally delivered hundreds of essential supplies to its ravaged communities.

For his next trip, Mr Cuthbert is looking for cat and dog food donations and winter items as well as financial support to cover the fuel costs for the dangerous journey.

He said: “Each and every time I go there, I witness first hand the total destruction of the war which has torn that once beautiful country apart – bombed-out buildings, so many shattered lives and people left behind.

“It is just so heart-breaking for me to see the elderly, families and children without any means of escape and even animals being abandoned in the streets as people try to flee the ongoing violence.“

“That is why I do these trips to Ukraine, so I can try to help those that are still there as best I can.”

The trip, which will be just under 2,000 miles, will see Mr Cuthbert go to an area just south of Kharkhiv, where he will be taking much-needed items for an animal rescue centre offering homes to more than 200 domestic animals.

After that part of his trip, he plans on visiting the surrounding area to donate clothes and winter items to local residents.

The fund-raiser, who has done car boot sales and church coffee morning events, stressed that every contribution, no matter how small, will help.

“Whether it’s £500, £50 or £5, it all adds up and it all makes a difference,” said Mr Cuthbert.

For more details on how you can donate items or money, search for the ‘Jerry’s Trip From East Harling To Ukraine’ page on Facebook or email Greenking8@aol.com.