Liverpool: Four more consignments of aid leave for Ukraine

Image: Archdiocese of Liverpool

Source: Archdiocese of Liverpool

Following on from the successful journey taking aid to the Polish/Ukrainian border at the beginning of April the Archdiocese of Liverpool's '#liverpool4ukraine' appeal is set to send four more consignments of much needed medical supplies and aid to Bishop Gregory Komar in the Diocese of Sambir-Drohobych in the Lviv region. This is double the amount sent in the first consignment.

There will be a return trip for drivers Mike Sharkey and Chris Joynt and they will be joined by four members of staff from the archdiocese: Jill Boggan, Nicky Hegarty, John McMahon and Aaron Kiely for the journey which will take five days, covering 2,800 miles travelling through six countries. On arrival at the Polish/Ukrainian border they will meet Bishop Gregory and seminarians from his diocese who will transfer the aid for the onward journey.

The first consignment arrived on Tuesday 29 March. Mike Sharkey says: "We were able to see at first hand the difference which our aid will make to the innocent people suffering in this conflict. As I kept hearing news of continued attacks on civilians I knew that I had to go back carrying aid and prayerful support from the people of our archdiocese. It was wonderful for us to meet Bishop Gregory and I'm looking forward to seeing him again to offer what comfort we can."

Following the first two consignments medical aid was transferred to hospitals in Drohobych and Boryslav and some taken further east to the capital Kyiv. The next two consignments will leave at 6.30am on Sunday 24 April and at 6.30am on Monday 25 April.

Jill Boggan, Director of Finance for the archdiocese and one of the volunteer drivers says: "I've volunteered to go on this trip because I want to do something direct and useful to help people in Ukraine who urgently need the supplies we're taking to them. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to go on this journey and hopeful that taking the generous donations from across the archdiocese to Bishop Gregory will provide both practical support and comfort that they are not alone."

This Friday, 22 April, as the vans and trucks are loaded there will be a short service at 10am at the St Margaret Clitherow Centre. A cheque for £12,000 will also be presented to the '#liverpool4ukraine' appeal, the money has been raised by Mike Sharkey from charities and organisations in the Wigan area of the archdiocese. The total raised for the appeal is currently £101,000.