Vans Without Borders (VWB) is a British humanitarian group, that delivers essential food and medical supplies to civilians living near the Ukrainian frontline.
The team have been braving countless dangers and driving down bombed-out roads since March 2022. Bringing relief to vulnerable people left to starve in wake of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
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Former NHS ambulance driver Fenton Chambers joined VWB in March 2022 when he spotted one of their videos on YouTube and got in contact with the team to volunteer his services. "Being in the British army previously, having medical training and what I would like to perceive as being a decent driver. I thought I could bring these skills over [to Ukraine]."
Despite the team saying they would take a break from aid drops amid the hazards of deep winter, Fenton decided to brave below-zero temperatures to get vital food and warm gear to Ukrainians in need. "The harsh reality is if you don't have the correct kit you will go man down, especially at the moment when there's no electricity, no running water, and no heating. This kit is definitely essential": He says.
Fenton went out to Ukraine with a brand new team without Jack Ross who usually leads the VWB humanitarian effort. Their initial plan to head to Donetsk was foiled because intelligence told them it was too unsafe to go there. So Fenton and his team retrace a VWB visit to Kherson instead.
In the last mission to Kherson was the 'closest they'd ever got' to being injured. The VWB team were spotted by the Russians and targeted in a rocket attack. "We made a few corrections, we made sure we didn't go close enough to where the Russians could see us across the river": He said.
In mockery of Putin's hard man bravado during an Epiphany, which sees him plunge into icy waters for a blessing, VWB team member Lee jumped into below-freezing waters to show Russia the Brits are just as hardened to the cold as them."It was in defiance of Putin and a bit of morale for the soldiers. We sent it out to a few people and the response was pretty positive from the Ukrainian people." Said Fenton.
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