Sir Desmond Swayne visits New Forest for Ukraine volunteers

Desmond Swayne, who represents New Forest West, visited a Lymington warehouse run by New Forest for Ukraine (NFFU) as the charity prepared to dispatch its 45th lorryload to the country.

NFFU has sent more than 500 tonnes of badly-needed aid since the autumn of 2023.

It provides the Ukranian population with a raft of essential items, including portable generators, medical supplies, and household goods. Each shipment comprises about nine tonnes of aid.

NFFU is aiming to despatch its 600th generator in the near future.

Desmond Swayne met NFFU leader John Allison during a visit to its Lymington warehouse (Image: New Forest for Ukraine)

The team showed Sir Desmond how aid received from local communities is sorted, packed, and made ready for the journey.

The veteran Conservative MP heard that NFFU is in direct touch with the recipients, helping the charity to meet their needs and verify delivery.

READ MORE: Russia declares ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8-10 to celebrate Victory Day

NFFU funds the cost of fuelling the lorries, which are otherwise provided free of charge by Logiscom, of Ferndown, Dorset.

Sir Desmond met Mandy Haynes, NFFU’s head of events, who is aiming to raise funds by taking part in the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, which involves walking 70 miles in two days.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused huge amounts of damage to civilian areas (Image: Ukrainian Emergency Services via AP)

The MP said: "This is a fantastic operation supporting desperate people in Ukraine. They need our help more than ever, and this kind of practical help is getting to people who need it.

"The support of New Forest communities is inspiring in what is an entirely volunteer effort.

"I was delighted to make a personal contribution and will be sponsoring Mandy on her walking challenge and wish her and the NFFU team all the best.”

READ MORE: Ukraine's allies gather in London for latest round of peace talks

John Allison, head of NFFU, added: "It was terrific to welcome Sir Desmond and show him what we do and I know our team of volunteers enjoyed showing him what they deliver.

"We look forward to staying in touch with him and we are enormously grateful for his donation and opportunity to raise the profile of getting vital aid to the Ukrainians who need it."

At the start of 2022, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, repeatedly denied that he was planning to invade Ukraine.

But Russian troops crossed the border on February 24, sparking the largest and deadliest war in Europe for more than 80 years.

It was a major escalation of the conflict between the two countries that began in 2014.

The intense fighting has resulted in hundreds of thousands of military casualties. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians are also believed to have been killed or injured.

Russian troops currently occupy about 20 per cent of Ukraine.