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24
Jun 2023
Knaresborough man launches crowdfunder to send fire engine to Ukraine
A retired lorry driver who has taken seven truckloads of aid to Ukraine from Knaresborough has set himself a new challenge.
Bob Frendt, who is in his 70s, made his final trip to eastern Europe earlier this month and has said he will not complete another aid journey.
However, he is hoping to help in another way.
While visiting Volodymyr in western Ukraine over the last year, he discovered the town's fire engines had been commandeered by the army.
During his last visit, he was told about the impact of this. He said:
Bob is known for keeping his promises.
Over the last 15 months, he has been transporting medical equipment for the hospital, as well as IT and other supplies the school requested.
Before Christmas, he transported hundreds of gifts to distribute to local children, and took Easter eggs to the hospital's children's ward during his visit in April.
As well as taking donations from people around Knaresborough and beyond, he contacted numerous businesses across the area to ask for contributions of unwanted medical equipment and more.
He was given the lorry by a supporter, but it cost him £2,500 in fuel, insurance and ferries every time he travelled to Ukraine and back, and he now plans to sell the lorry to clear the overdrafts he and wife Maureen had used to fund the last trip.
Read more:
- Harrogate Eurovision party welcomes Ukrainians and raises aid funds
- Support for plans to twin Knaresborough with town in Ukraine
Bob is determined to raise enough money to buy and transport at least one fire engine to Volodymyr, to prevent more lives being lost and homes and businesses being destroyed if a fire breaks out.
He is being supported by Chain Lane Community Hub, which has been working with many Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia invaded last February.
Knaresborough is now home to around 350 Ukrainians, many of whom have been helped to learn English, find work and settle into the community through the Chain Lane hub.
Bob has also been instrumental in moves to twin Knaresborough with Volodymyr, with both mayors keen to sign up to a twinning agreement.
A Crowdfunding page has been set up to help Bob reach the £20,000 he needs for the cause. On it, the team from the hub wrote:
To donate to the cause, visit the Crowdfunding page.
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