Landlord of The Swan Inn in Midhurst organises Ukraine Sunflower Aid for refugees

Digby Furneaux of The Swan Inn in Midhurst has organised a volunteer-led operation to drive supplies to Poland, where many Ukrainians have fled following the Russian invasion.

In just two weeks, the group, Ukraine Sunflower Aid, has raised more than £50,000 and also collected physical donations including toiletries and baby supplies.

After learning that other humanitarian groups are being stopped by customs, leaving lorries filled with supplies stranded at borders, Digby and his 200-strong team of volunteers decided the best way to help was to personally deliver the aid to where it is most needed.

Digby (front, left) and his team

He said: “We’ve been amazed with the response so far."

Up to 15 vans will be departing from Midhurst today, all driven by volunteers.

More than 150 drivers from up and down the country offered to make the four-day round trip from the South East to Poland.

The team are currently finalising a destination in Poland where they will distribute the essential supplies.

Digby added: “We are working with other NGOs and a small town council in Poland to finalise a location where the aid is most needed.”

The fleet will be making a stop in Germany to get low-cost supplies from a wholesaler.

The group was forced to stop accepting physical donations in the UK as it faced difficulties getting everything across the border.

Volunteers spent five hours filling in customs forms on Wednesday for the donations already amassed.

Digby hopes this operation will help to unify people across Europe in a time of crisis. He said: “This is an entirely humanitarian effort.”

This will be the first of many trips, which are entirely reliant on volunteers and donations. You can donate to Ukraine Sunflower Aid at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/UkraineSunflowerAid