Truro-born aid worker Chris Parry's dad visits Ukraine in his memory
Rob Parry is joining a group of volunteers delivering aid to civilians in the war-torn country ahead of his family joining them next month to relive Chris' steps
A team of volunteers, including the dad of Chris Parry, are right now in Ukraine, delivering aid to help people in the war-torn country.
Chris, who was from Truro but had been living in Cheltenham, died alongside fellow volunteer Andrew Bagshaw back in January trying to rescue a woman from a car.
The British nationals were killed while attempting a "humanitarian evacuation", according to a statement from their families at the time.
Truro-born Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, went missing while heading to Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region of the country, where heavy fighting was reported.
Since then, fundraisers have been launched, and a local Gloucestershire artist even created a mural in his memory - which was launched at Gloucester Brewery just last week.
Russell Haines said he was 'honoured' to have made the artwork - and 'honoured' that Rob was joining the group of volunteers in their latest mission to Ukraine, to drive one of the two vehicles in their latest entourage.
Rob will later next month be joined Katie, his sister, and Christine, his wife, in a chance to heal, retrace Chris' steps, and keep his memory alive.
Part of the group in Ukraine include the artist of the image, Russell Haines from Gloucester, director of Gloucester Brewery Hugh Joslyn, Geoff Smith from Gloucester Brewery, and Oli Monks from AJ Elite Couriers, also based in Gloucestershire.
They're over to donate equipment to Military Medics, and a humanitarian aid organisation based in Poland.
They're also carrying medical supplies headed for Kyiv, and a lorry-full of aid in Lviv.
Rob Parry told us, for him, it was about taking the steps his son took as an aid worker whilst he was out in Ukraine.
"I just wanted to experience it"
He said: "For me, personally, I just wanted to experience it. I'm extremely proud of what Chris did. To be here, everybody has been so kind and generous.
"The vehicle that we're driving in right now is exactly the same type that Chris bought himself in Poland and drove through into Ukraine. Over the next couple of days, we're going over to Kharkiv, and I know that was Chris' first expedition to the front line."
Chris' portrait was unveiled just last week, and is currently on show at the Warehouse 4 in Gloucester.
Rob added: "Russell, after his funeral contacted me, and asked if he could paint Chris, which I said it would be an honour for him to.
"When it was unveiled, we knew it was Chris. It was so lifelike, and it was very emotional when we saw it for the first time.
"My wife and my daughter were also there, and we all burst into tears when we saw it."
Artist Russell Haines said: "To be sharing this journey with Rob, I speak for all of us, when I say it's an absolute privilege.
"These volunteers, like Chris was, put themselves into areas literally under fire to rescue people from shelled buildings.
"Right now, there's a great deal of pride for me, I think. It's not us that are putting our lives at risk, but Chris did - and in a big way."
From Gloucester Brewery, Hugh Joslyn added: "We were honoured that Rob came to the brewery of Chris' painting and that he offered to join us on this jouney.
"Speaking with him on Wednesday, he said, 'that is Chris'.
"We've been working with lots of charities this year, including Russell, and we leapt at the chance to turn a fundraiser for one of his organisations into as big a support piece as we can."
The entourage is thanks to a local Gloucestershire courier company, which has been provided for them, thanks to the team at AJ Elite Couriers.
Oli Monks said: "It's a little bit surreal to be here - the amount of military personnel walking around is not quite what you're used to back in the UK.
"Both of these vehicles, I've actually donated from my company - and have driven all the way to Ukraine all the way from Gloucestershire!
"When I met Russell and his brilliant ideas, it absolutely sold the trip for me - and I could tell he needed the help."
Read more: Truro-born Chris Parry killed in Ukraine alongside fellow aid worker
Read more: Tributes paid at Truro Cathedral to remember those in Ukraine