Convoy leaves to provide medical aid to Ukraine
Volunteers have started a 13,000 mile trip to give aid to people in Ukraine.
Daffodil Weekend committee members from Thriplow in Cambridgeshire will drive for four days as part of a 14-vehicle convoy to deliver medical support.
The "big, ugly, green" truck named Shrek will make the journey carrying generators, nappies and medical supplies, with other Convoy4Ukraine vehicles also carrying wheelchairs, crutches and clothing.
Paul Earnshaw, one of the volunteers, said: "It's super important. We can't solve the politics but we can help the people and that's what we're all about here."
Mr Earnshaw, chairman of the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend committee, said the village had a long association with Ukraine.
"When the war first broke out {in February 2022] Daffodil Weekend bought an ambulance and sent it out to Ukraine. We have continued that relationship since," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"When the opportunity came for Convoy4Ukraine, and to sponsor a vehicle, we jumped at it and we are ready."
Fergus Ramsay will be making the trip for a second time.
"[Last time] we did notice the lack of younger people, apart from young mothers, because anyone of middle age is helping out in other areas - especially on the east side [of Ukraine]."
Some Daffodil Weekend members making the trip expected to be back on Friday.
They said they planned to use some of the journey time to make calls and plan ahead for this year's flower event in their village, near Duxford, on 22 and 23 March.
Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Starmer announces 'coalition of the willing' to guarantee Ukraine peace
Vance took the lead attacking Zelensky. Why?
Taking aid to Ukraine 'is in my heart now'
Thriplow Daffodil Weekend
Convoy4Ukraine
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
City suburb set for speed limit cut to 20mph
A 20mph (32 km/h) speed limit is set to be introduced on roads in a city suburb following a public consultation. Officers have recommended Sheffield councillors approve plans to cut the speed limit in Netherthorpe as part of the authority's strategy to improve road safety in residential areas. A report to be considered by councillors said that, so far, 65 "sign-only" 20mph areas had been introduced in Sheffield, in addition to 12 child safety zones, with a further six schemes currently under way. The report noted that there had been an "unusually low" response to the public consultation over the Netherthorpe proposal, with only three emails in favour of the proposal and two against. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the report stated that the low number of participants in the consultation could be "for a number of reasons". "Having looked at the address data, the area is predominantly flats/HMOs, and we tend to receive less interest in schemes (except for parking schemes) from student areas," it said. The council said it was aiming to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions, lower people's fear of accidents, and encourage more sustainable travel. Sheffield City Council's transport, regeneration and climate policy committee is expected to make a final decision next Wednesday. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. New 20mph zones agreed for two city suburbs Sheffield City Council
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Scam warning over government energy-saving grant
People hoping to get free energy-saving upgrades to their homes as part of a government scheme could be targeted by scammers, councillors have warned. Bradford Council has been awarded more than £7m as part of the Warm Homes fund to improve energy efficiency in some of the district's poorest insulated homes. However, concerns have been raised that householders could fall victim to rogue companies posing as official council contractors. Kamran Hussain, the council's spokesman for neighbourhoods and community safety, urged the council officers to "make sure safeguarding is put in place so that these companies are not scamming customers". "Over the years, we have found that many people have been stung through grants that have been implied as coming through the council," Hussain said at a meeting. He said work had in fact been carried out by private companies that were not part of government funding, leading to a "very large bill". Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of the council, said: "If a householder is asked to pay something, it is not a council scheme." She said the council should give out clear information about the programme to ensure residents are not misled. Council officers said the local authority would directly manage the scheme, selecting a single contractor to do the work through official processes. Bradford Council had applied for £27 million from the Government's new Warm Homes scheme but, despite receiving less than requested, it still secured the largest grant awarded to any single council. The authority hopes the project will mirror the success of a previous scheme, which upgraded 635 homes in Bradford with roof and underfloor insulation in 2022 and 2023, and was praised by government officials as a model project. Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "The work will make these homes a lot more comfortable, reduce their fuel bills, and assist in reducing carbon emissions." The scheme will roll out over the next three years, with additional funding potentially available if Bradford exceeds its delivery targets. The funding comes from a £500m national pot for energy performance upgrades and better heating for people living in some of the worst quality privately owned and rented homes. The free work could include new insulation, solar panels or an air source heat pump if suitable. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Warning after trader pretends to be council worker Residents warned over 'real menace' rogue traders
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns in the hot seat
The Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been in the hot seat on BBC Radio Humberside. The Reform UK representative was elected last month after recieving 42% of the vote. Dame Andrea was taking questions from presenter Carla Greene, as well as those from listeners. Here are the four big takeaways from what she had to say – and you can listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds. Matthew Burke from Grimsby wants to see more job opportunities in North East Lincolnshire. The 33-year-old said: "Look at what other cities are doing and just try and bring that to Grimsby." Bringing investment to the local area is a key role of the Greater Lincolnshire mayor. Dame Andrea announced she wanted to build a trade college in the area. She said: "We know right across the country we've got a shortage of plasterers, plumbers, builders. "Lecturers make more money in the private sector than actually teaching so we need to look at that skills gap." Dame Andrea was asked specifically what she would be doing to help people in Northern Lincolnshire. She responded: "I don't have this silo approach". The mayor was keen to stress that she would not be favouring one part of the region over another and said her role would help to bring a better balance. She said: "The good thing about a mayor is that you've got an overview of the whole county so you can ensure fair funding across the area. "You can't have one part missing out." Corrina Pett is a mental health support worker in North Lincolnshire. She said she wanted to see more unemployed people trained to help fill the gaps in the care sector. She said: "There shouldn't be a shortage with the amount of unemployed people here." Dame Andrea said she wanted to change attitudes towards the sector. "These are valuable roles and they're not to be looked down on. "It's about working with the councils, colleges and care providers to ensure school leavers see this career as a viable option." Bill, a BBC Radio Humberside listener, asked why the East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area missed out on billions of pounds worth of investment for transport projects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday funding for tram, train and bus schemes in mayoral authorities across the Midlands, the North and the West Country. Dame Andrea Jenkyns said she wanted to come up with a fully costed transport plan for Greater Lincolnshire and promised to fight the business case for more transport investment for the region. She said: "The Government has given money where they've got Labour mayors and this is why we need to clean up politics." The mayor made transport one of the key pillars of her election campaign by pledging to create investment in major roads such as the A15, A52 and A17, along with "proper integration between buses, trains and cars". HM Treasury for a comment. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Andrea Jenkyns sworn in as Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns: First Reform mayor has knack for bouncing back Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority BBC Radio Humberside
