West Dorset pub landlord describes aid trips to Ukraine as 'emotional, terrifying and uplifting'
Tom Littledyke travelled almost 3,000 miles with much needed aid
A West Dorset pub landlord is vowing to return to Ukraine with more aid and support for refugees.
31-year-old Tom Littledyke first travelled to the Polish border at the start the Russia invasion with a minivan full of aid.
He and his girlfriend Georgia Wellman have been back since and Tom says he's going again to help more refugees.
Tom who is a former Royal Marine Reservist told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"I saw these children and people being displaced and I thought if that had happened to anyone I love and care about, I'd want someone to be doing something to help them. So I decided that was what I could do for them.
"Why would I say I wish someone could do that for me, and not be prepared to do it for them."
One of Tom's trips didn't go entirely to plan. He wanted to drop off vehicles, then supplies and then use a minibus to quickly pick up refugees trying to cross the border into Poland. But one of the minibuses broke down meaning he had to shift responsibilities.
He says they will go back again to focus on helping refugees flee the country.
"It has been terrifying, it has been uplifting, it has been beautiful.
"The idea that this is only 1,300 miles away, that's a big deal.
"The whole idea that that is not far at all really brings that home and Ukraine is essentially acting as a frontline for a potential future European war.
"We've seen it throughout history where we look at countries being invaded and we all look back on that and we say 'where was this country during this time, why weren't they helping, why couldn't they see that this was a prelude to war?'
"That's where we are now, we are in a prelude to war and we need to concentrate on civilians and getting them out."