Racing volunteers undertake new mission to rescue Ukrainian families

A small group of volunteers from the British racing industry will set off on another mission to Poland next Saturday with the aim of bringing back three Ukrainian families seeking refuge in the UK.

Under the banner of Racing To Help Ukraine, freelance box driver Julia Bennet, Sharon Ingram, wife of trainer Roger, and Michael Shipster, who is sponsoring one of the families, will complete the 1,000-mile journey by minibus from the UK to the city of Katowice.

The three families have been supported by Love Bristol, a Christian charity based in Bristol, while they have waited for their visas. One of the families is from the industrial city of Severodonetsk in the heart of the Donbas region, which has experienced some of the most intense fighting following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

"It won't change the situation in Ukraine but for those three families it changes the course of their future," said Bennet, who has made four trips to Poland to deliver humanitarian and equine supplies.

"When we first went out, were were struck by the utter horror of the situation and the fact you could just drive there and do something useful. Once you realise you can do that, why wouldn't you?

"The support from the racing industry has been unbelievable. As with everyone who has stepped up, I have never done any sort of fundraising or been involved with a charity. Asking people for donations has been completely alien – I was surprised I could do it and by the reaction from people in racing."

Trainer Gay Kelleway has also raised donations and led a number of trips to deliver equine supplies to the Poland-Ukraine border. She is planning another trip next month and hopes to bring back 17 horses.

Speaking earlier this month, she said: "We've got them in a holding space eight hours from the Poland-Ukraine border and they need to get to Ireland. We're trying to rescue horses and move them to a safe place. It's worse than it's ever been and aid has disappeared, but we're soldiering on with the little resources we have."

A total of 6,374 civilian deaths between the Russian invasion on February 24 and October 24 have been verified by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

You can support the Racing To Help Ukraine campaign and Gay Kelleway's mission by following these links . . .

Racing To Help Ukraine campaign

Saving Horses in Ukraine fundraiser

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