Neil Crawford, director of Leeds-based Farsley Travel, told TTG about how his grandfather’s wartime exploits inspired him to do something to support those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
"I was really close to my grandad when he was alive, he used to tell me some really interesting stories about the Second World War and I got to know all about it," Crawford said.
"When the Ukraine crisis came up, I just felt the inspiration, the urge to do my bit, to do my duty. Of course, this isn’t like anything my grandad or the other soldiers faced. I’m just donating clothing – he spent six years fighting.
"I just thought it was a chance to step up and do my duty. It’s easier to say you’ll do this and that, but actually doing it is a different story."
On Sunday (24 April), Crawford will set off with a van full of goods donated by locals and drive to a hostel in Odzrykon in Poland, for which he has been raising money over the past few weeks.
"When everyone started booking Airbnbs to support those affected by the war, I decided to do the same, and it sort of started to snowball from there really," he said.
"I started getting to know the owners, and the one I was booking was an actual hostel with 10 or so rooms. I ended up raising about €4,000 for them. But I wanted to go out there, even though I was 99.9% sure it was all properly legit, spend three four days there and hand the last €1,000 over in person – in cash."
Crawford anticipates the journey will cost up to £1,000 in petrol, on top of the £717 it cost to hire the van for a week. "It would have been easier to sell all the goods and donate the money," he said. "But I’ve committed to it, and if we’re out there for three days we can help to physically distribute it.
"I have a contact out there who collects goods for soldiers and refugees in need. I’m driving it out because I know exactly where it is going."
Anyone wishing to contribute to Crawford’s appeal can do so via JustGiving here.
