Pallet-Track has coordinated a relief response on behalf of all UK networks, which saw more than 100 pallets of aid delivered to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Two lorry loads of supplies, including formula milk, nappies, baby food, personal hygiene products and first aid equipment, were taken to the Poland-Ukraine border last week by Pallet-Track member E&R Freight.
E&R founder Richard Topping suggested the aid response to the pallet network and he and his son Ethan drove the HGVs to the border themselves.
Richard is no stranger to mercy missions, having also taken supplies to Kosovo during the third Balkan war in 2001.
Ethan, who has 50,000 followers on social media platform TikTok, documented the trip online to encourage more donations.
Richard said: “When you’re sitting at home watching what is going on with tears in your eyes, you want to do whatever you can to help.
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“This is something we really wanted to do and I hope that it will make people’s lives that little bit easier.
“All members of the APN have all been so generous with donations of things like blankets, dried dog food and new clothes.”
He added that while this trip took him to the border, he’d be happy to make a return visit into Ukraine if safe passage can be guaranteed: “In Kosovo we were escorted in but it is so much more unpredictable here,” he said.
“If we can safely go into Ukraine then we definitely will.”
Caroline Green, Pallet-Track chief executive, said: “We’re uniquely-placed as a sector to be able to not only gather donations for Ukraine, but take them directly to where they are most needed.
“All UK pallet networks have come together to support this response and we are doing all we can to help alleviate the terrible situation in Ukraine on behalf of the APN.”
