13-MAR: TEAMING UP WITH ROGER (a simple mission turned epic!)
13 March 2022
Better late than never on the updates, right?
From Dan: Back in March, I teamed up with a dear friend, Roger Scott, who also resides in Poland, backed with another fierce crew of legends coordinating similar efforts to help Ukrainian people...
We have since joined forces and combined our diverse and dedicated networks to strive for more efficient and resourceful implementation of humanitarian support.
Roger’s good friend in Lviv is a civilian who was recently conscripted to the Ukraine Territorial Defense Force. They are severely under-resourced and desperately needed medical supplies, uniforms and protective gear, and tactical supplies (radios, belts, etc.) to support civilians and soldiers defending their territory from the Russian invasion.
Roger’s mate produced official requests for accessible equipment that we can source here in Poland and deliver in person to Lviv (where the platoon were training).
Roger had already been fundraising on his own. We teamed up to undertake our first mission — of several so far — to purchase and deliver a 200kg (10kW) diesel generator and deliver it to Ukrainian soldiers. Because why not start big!?
Initially, we’d planned a 40-seater bus to bring back more refugees than ever — but the rental company couldn’t guarantee it’s availability in time, so we opted for a van, loaded up the generator and set off from Poland. That is, once we sorted out driving logistics (turns out that Roger can’t drive a manual — so I was designated driver this trip)!
We crossed the border in no time at all, and with little concern — but on the Ukraine side, we hit a sight I’d never seen …Looked like 10,000 desperate souls in utter chaos trying to leave!!! The line to get out looked like a week-long wait, with people and cars swarming the roads.
Finally, we past this fiasco with some police assistance to clear the roads — and rolled straight into the next obstacle…
Curfew and martial law were one hour away. We had missed the rendezvous with our contact, who could no longer meet us. We were redirected to an old wedding function center being used as a safe house for refugees. They were to store the generator until morning.
A caretaker greeted us and said they were ‘expecting us’. Roger and I looked at each other and burst out laughing as thoughts of spy movies raced through our minds (think: James Bond 007 style! 😂). We recruited some labor from some young Ukrainians who were taking shelter — and they jumped straight into unloading the generator.
And that part of the job was done, just like that...
There are more orders to fulfill and donations will help Roger and I purchase items and pay for transporting equipment to support soldiers and civilians, while we do all we can to facilitate refugee transport into Poland and beyond.
Off to pick up some passengers for transport back to Poland…
Of course, we were late, and our passengers had moved on from the meeting point because curfew had passed and civilians were not allowed outside at night. We drove around to find our passengers, and FINALLY with everyone on board, headed back towards the border with Poland — and much needed rest — on our minds…
The day had been way sketchier than expected... The landscape had changed dramatically since I’d last crossed the border. But we hoped for a quick passage home…
Getting ‘home’ …
Taking a different route back to Poland, the wait at the border was still epic! We spent 13 hours waiting to cross with our passengers, including a Russian-speaking family who had escaped the devastated Donesk region in Eastern Ukraine. Luckily, Roger spoke fluent Russian and could keep the family entertained (especially the kids)… They really struck a chord with us —we heard some tragic stories of fleeing Donesk, but efforts were made to keep spirits high. The kids were cracking jokes in Russian and playing with they toys we had brought along.
Roger tells his version of events on-air with ABC Radio National | RN Drive: ‘Two Aussies and one van in Ukraine’ (10 min interview starts at 14min 15sec):
Not knowing where to go or what to do can be very daunting when people flee with no plan and almost nothing in hand, especially with small children in tow...
In the days to follow, we were able to support this family relocate to Germany. My dear friend, Nicholas, managed to bump into them in one of the refugee arrival stations in Berlin. Nick ended up volunteering his apartment so they had somewhere comfortable to stay while they worked out some major life plans ahead…
This is one of millions of families that have had similar traumatic and hectic journeys. Thanks to our donors and incredible networks, we could provide this family with some reassurance, logistical and financial support to help them begin planning for a new future.
DONATE & SHARE
Help us continue these missions by donating and sharing our story. We will keep you updated on stories so you know where the money is going…
DONATE & SHARE: bit.ly/ukraine-warsaw
SHOUT-OUTS
Big damn thanks to everyone that has mucked-in, offered assistance, donated, supported the logistics, and helped to arrange media to promote this cause… It is over-whelming what you have ALL done and really appreciated.
We would not be where we are now if it wasn’t for Yulia (my amazing girlfriend) who has been the back bone and driving force behind my motivation and my fundraising campaign angels back in Melbourne (Rita and Claire) — who instigated the fund and have been there from the start outside of their full-time jobs, mind you… We have since recruited other dear friends and my little sister, Ilana, to offer expertise advice and support.
Blessed to have a partner and mates like them and champions like Roger and Will in my camp!
…and of course, the legends donating and offering other ways to help.
Keep the love flowing. We’ll keep the missions going.
Legends.
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Next up: 23-MAR: ALL ‘AUSSIE-POLAND-UKRAINE’ ADVENTURES! (coach trips, BBQs & more)
Back to: COMPLETED MISSIONS
