'It's been life-changing' - Gay Kelleway reflects on heroic aid efforts

Gay Kelleway has described her trips to provide humanitarian aid to wartorn Ukraine as "a life-changing experience".

Kelleway has recently returned from her latest journey to the Poland-Ukraine border, where she was joined by a team of volunteers including the Racing Post's Jonathan Harding, who has written a compelling, emotional diary of the trip for a major feature in Sunday's newspaper.

Members of the racing community have played a leading role in providing support for the Ukrainian people since the invasion by Russian forces in late February sent shockwaves around the world and Kelleway has been among those to answer the call, raising donations and pulling together a team of volunteers to drive more than 1,000 miles to an equine rescue hub near Rzeszow in south-east Poland. She has also been involved in rescuing refugees fleeing for their lives, some with the most harrowing tales.

Kelleway recently made her third trip, having been inspired by former trainer Charlie Mann, who led a humanitarian mission in April under the banner of Racing To Help Ukraine. He had employed Ukrainian Kyryl Shvetsov as head lad for many years and delivered tinned food and humanitarian aid, while Kelleway had sourced equine supplies and arranged a different trip.

"I've been a doer my whole life and I don't like to waste an hour," she said. "I was horrified by the condition of the horses on our first trip, and felt we had to do more for them. It has been a life-changing experience.

"Other equestrian disciplines have done bits and bobs but racing has been different class. If everybody stepped up it would make a huge difference. It would break your heart the things we've seen over there. Progress is precious and we've got to keep the momentum going with donations."

Donations to support Kelleway and other racing volunteers in delivering supplies for animals and humanitarian aid can be made at Kelleway's JustGiving page here.

Read Jonathan Harding's diary of his trip to the Poland-Ukraine border with Gay Kelleway and other volunteers in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday. Click here to sign up.

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