Council leader raises over £7k for Ukranian refugees

Lichfield District Council leader, Doug Pullen, has so far raised over £7,000 to help transport refugees out of war-torn Ukraine.

Moved by the plight of the Ukrainian people, he flew to the country himself to help the humanitarian effort in person.

The funds raised thus far have been shared across charities on the frontline in Poland and also used on fuel, food and other vital supplies to help refugees.

As well as this, the money has also supported an orphanage in Poland caring for displaced Ukrainian children.

The Lichfield District Council leader covered his own air fare and accommodation costs for the trip and booked time off from the day job to fly out there.

Cllr Doug Pullen said: “I just needed to do something proactive and being sat here in the UK watching the scenes of war on TV made me feel completely helpless. The humanitarian organisations were calling out for help to transport refugees to safety, so I booked a flight and headed out to Poland for what turned into six days, with no real plan other than to help wherever it was needed.

“The generosity of those that have donated has been amazing and I can 't thank the people of Lichfield enough for their support. It just shows how much empathy there is for what 's happening in Ukraine. What I saw out there was heart-breaking but there was also so much hope and positivity too; despite being faced with losing their homes and country, those affected were being so brave in the face of such adversity. ”

Cllr Pullen is continuing to appeal for donations and is working closely with a number of charities on the frontline to share the funds out.

During the six days he was in Poland, he transported 17 people (of which five were children) as well as two family dogs, across Poland to help them get connections to reach friends and family in other parts of the country or beyond, including Germany and Spain.

Recounting his first journey where he drove four people to Warsaw he said: “On the road from the border town to Warsaw it became clear we were on the edge of a war zone. We saw a Hercules-type transporter plane overhead, and a convoy of tanks passed us.

“We made it safely to the train station in Warsaw where I said goodbye to my passengers. I did four journeys in total while I was there to get people to safety, but every time I said goodbye to my passengers, there was no sense of personal relief or achievement. Each time there was just an emptiness and a worry about when these families will be able to return to their homes. ”

Cllr Pullen added: “I can 't express my thanks enough for the kind donations people have made to the fundraising appeal. I speak from first-hand experience that those donations are making a vital difference to the refugees. ”

To support Doug 's ongoing Ukrainian fundraising appeal visit here.

Picture: Supplies sourced by Councillor Doug Pullen for Ukrainian refugees included food, drink, inflatable mattresses and nappies.