When the war broke out, the entrepreneur Edward Blackbird was one of those who went from words to action. Two weeks after the outbreak of war, he was at the Ukrainian border with the motor home fully loaded.
– I saw on the news how a little girl and her father said goodbye before the train left, says Edward Blackbird. I thought of my own daughters and I couldn’t stop myself. I had to help.
Collected half a million pounds
With the support of the public in Gateshead and Newcastle, Edward collected half a million pounds – about SEK 6 million – and began the journey down to Ukraine.
– We brought food, clothes, medicines and everything in between. When we got to the Ukrainian border we weren’t allowed in, but I spent three days there and got the chance to help. It was a humbling experience for me, says Edward Blackbird about the first trip down to Ukraine.
Do the trip again
On Tuesday he goes out again. This time, the gutted RV that Edward drives is filled with generators, heating elements, and Christmas presents. With the car fully loaded, the journey will take three days and they will arrive in Kyiv on Christmas Eve.
– We haven’t forgotten anyone. Originally it was just Christmas presents for the children, but now we also have things for the teenagers and mum and dad, he says.
Lady gave chocolate
Over seventy companies have stepped in to support Edwards’ work, among them Premier League club Newcastle United.
– We have people who have given £5,000 to the fundraiser, but I remember how a lady in her 80s came to us with two chocolate bars. She didn’t have much money, but she could give. The people who donated gifts are real heroes, without them this would not have been possible, says Edward Blackbird.
See the whole Foreign Office: Christmas in Kyiv in SVT Play from 20.00 or 22.00 in SVT2.