Bus leaves Knaresborough on 1,550-mile mission to help Ukrainians flee

A van has set off from Knaresborough to transport Ukrainians out of the war-torn country to safety.

The 34-seat bus has been provided by two Harrogate district businessman, Mark Smith of The HACS Group and Ray Allott of Chimneycrete.

Mr Allott had the idea after a chat with a friend called Pavl in Poland.

Pavl said he was using his car to drive 39 miles from his home to the Polish/Ukraine border each night to transport people and supplies.

Mr Allott wanted to do all he can to help so, with support from Mr Smith at HACS, he acquired the bus.

He set off from Knaresborough yesterday afternoon to drive 1,550 miles to Ukraine.

The bus will then be left in Ukraine to be used to help refugees get to safety. It is currently packed with generators and radios, donated by local supporters.

Once it reaches the border it will be handed over to local activists to help get women and children out of Ukraine to other European countries, including the UK.

Mr Smith said:

“It was all Ray’s idea, as soon as he asked I just said ‘yes’. We’ve got to do something and do it fast, there’s plenty of people that need help. Our aim is to get as many people as possible out of Ukraine or further from the Polish border into mainland Europe.

“We’ve put a tracker on the bus too, to see how often Pavl is going into Ukraine then we can send over sufficient funds to cover petrol costs.”

Mr Allott has set up a justgiving page for people to donate to. Money raised will be used for petrol and supply costs. So far it has raised more than £3,000.

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Ray Allott

Harrogate transplant patient completes 850-mile charity walk

A double transplant patient from Harrogate received a warm welcome at the hospital today when he completed a year-long 850-mile charity walk.

Mark Smith, who received a new kidney and pancreas, is a keen walker and has completed various challenges raising £17,000 in total but this latest feat was his most difficult yet.

Hospital staff, representatives of Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity, as well as Harrogate borough mayor and mayoress Trevor and Janet Chapman cheered as he arrived at the hospital this afternoon.

His 850-mile target represented the 850 million people who suffer with kidney disease across the world.

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His latest challenge has raised £615 for Kidney Care UK and Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity. You can donate by clicking or tapping here.

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret:

“My favourite walk was a 23-mile walk from my home in Jennyfields. I first went to Ripley then all the way out to Birstwith and then to Winksley and back. I got some ice cream on the way.

“It’s about determination and resilience. You can’t think about the ‘what ifs’. Life is short. The transplants have not stopped me and neither have my other conditions.

“When you go on the organ donor register you are not just saving someone’s life but you give them the chance to lead a better life they never imagined.”