A MOTHER has travelled to Ukraine to donate much-needed supplies.

Holy Trinity Primary School in Cuckfield raised more than £1,500 through a variety of activities and Hannah Pring, whose daughter is a pupil, has personally delivered aid to the Ukraine border.

Hannah, 40, and five colleagues made the 2,350 mile round trip to deliver supplies at the end of March.

She said they felt they “needed to do something” and one had a friend who was already helping at the border.

The Argus: Donations ready for UkraineDonations ready for Ukraine

Hannah said: “We collected boxes and boxes of donations outside our house in Cuckfield and I am so grateful for everyone who brought donations to our doorstep. 

“These were combined with donations from my work colleagues, and we filled two vans with nappies, baby milk, toiletries, sanitary towels, sleeping bags and other much-needed items.”

Hannah’s children, Annabelle, who is in Year 5 at Holy Trinity, and River, accompanied their dad, Andy, to Balcombe station to see her off.

The Argus: Annabelle, River and Andy saying goodbye to HannahAnnabelle, River and Andy saying goodbye to Hannah

Hannah said: “I did not feel worried about what would happen on the trip, I just felt motivated to keep going by focusing on the desperate need and knowing that I was playing my part, although I did miss my family very much.

“The day after we returned, we received a Whatsapp to say that, already, the donations were being distributed and that people who, the night before had nothing to cover them as they slept in the refugee welcome centre, had been able to sleep a bit more comfortably and cosily. That made it all worth it.

“What struck me the most was that after entering France, we drive along one road, that motorway took us through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland, and continued into Ukraine. 

“At no point along this road was there any hard border to cross. The Ukrainians are truly our neighbours.”

The Argus: Hannah Pring and her colleagues Pictured L-R: Hannah Pring, Gregg Cordell, Ben Jennings, Dan Harries, Chris O’Halloran, Anvar Badakshanov.Hannah Pring and her colleagues Pictured L-R: Hannah Pring, Gregg Cordell, Ben Jennings, Dan Harries, Chris O’Halloran, Anvar Badakshanov.

Hannah has been inspired to continue her humanitarian efforts. 

She said: “We have now heard that what is needed more than anything is decommissioned ambulances and medicines, so our next plan is to fundraise to purchase a few of these and drive them over to the border to be collected by aid workers operating inside the Ukrainian border.”

On April 27, staff and children wore blue and yellow and collected received £800 in donations for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukrainian Appeal.

The Argus: Holy Trinity pupils, dressed in blue and yellow. L-R Back row: Finn, Mia, Ollie, Arthur, Fiona. 3rd row: Thomas, Morgan, Dylan, Chloe, Verity, Phoebe, Isabelle. 2nd row: Euan, Olly, Amber, Flo. 1st row: Riley, Orla, CobeyHoly Trinity pupils, dressed in blue and yellow. L-R Back row: Finn, Mia, Ollie, Arthur, Fiona. 3rd row: Thomas, Morgan, Dylan, Chloe, Verity, Phoebe, Isabelle. 2nd row: Euan, Olly, Amber, Flo. 1st row: Riley, Orla, Cobey

For one Holy Trinity parent, this was a personal cause. Nadia Clay was born in Ukraine and her parents still live in the west of the country, near to the Polish border. Her son, Alex, is in Year 3 at Holy Trinity. 

Nadia organised a cake sale at The Talbot pub in Cuckfield, raising over £1,000 – this money was also sent to the DEC appeal.