A FATHER and son have travelled to the Poland-Ukraine border to help deliver essential supplies to refugees.
Richard and Finn Paisley, from Hurstpierpoint, said they felt compelled to help after seeing images of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country following the Russian invasion.
The pair hired a van and left their home on March 8 to begin the 1,000-mile journey to the Polish city of Przemysl.
In five days, Richard, 50, and Finn, 20, raised more than £16,000 to buy essential supplies including blankets, food, underwear and nappies that were then delivered to a distribution centre for the humanitarian charity Caritas.
Richard, who works in recruitment, said it was difficult to describe the situation at the border.
He told the Argus: “It’s all women, children and older people – there’s no men – so it’s a strange environment.
“It’s very emotional for them because they’re obviously leaving their dads, husbands, sons, brothers at the border.
“By the time they’re walking over the border, they look in shock. The first time we went up there, we thought it would be a chaotic environment when, in reality, it was eerily quiet, I think because people are in shock.”
Richard said that despite the heartbreak, he has also witnessed the best of humanity, and described the moment that a man started playing Imagine by John Lennon on a discarded piano.
He said: “In the midst of all of this, an Italian started playing Imagine and it was just incredible, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“It was unbelievable that in among all this misery, shock and all these people who have had their lives turned upside down, this happens. It was quite brilliant.”
Finn shared a video of the moving moment on Instagram, and it has now been liked more than 12,000 times.
They have also received endless messages of support on social media, including from Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball.
Zoe, who lives in Sussex, said: “You guys are awesome. Any support needed, just holler. Stay safe.”
Richard and Finn began their return journey from Poland today but said they will continue to help with the humanitarian effort from home.
They are hoping to work with private landlords in Sussex to find more permanent homes Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.
Their fundraiser is also still accepting donations, with the money going towards essential supplies.
To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/finn-paisley.
For updates on Richard and Finn’s efforts, follow @finn.paisley on Instagram.
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