Stamford AFC Women's coach delivers ambulances to Ukraine
Dave Ribakovs' returned from his latest humanitarian mission to the Ukrainian border
A Stamford AFC Women's coach has arrived back in the UK after leading a humanitarian mission to deliver two ambulances to Ukraine.
Assistant-manager Dave Ribakovs has put his duties at the Zeeco Stadium on pause for the past few days, which he's spent delivering aid to the frontline in Ukraine.
As well as two ambulances, Dave led a convoy carrying medical aid, generators, children's Christmas gift boxes and food supplies to the Polish border.
He said he felt it was his "duty" to help:
'Many members of the team have had Ukrainians stay in with them, so the need is close to home for them.
For me, hearing my father's stories of having to flee Latvia during the second World War made me feel as though I have a duty to support these people.'
"The beautiful game brings people together"
Dave said that the humanitarian mission, made up of 11 volunteers, was all born out of two members of the team going to the 2012 European Championships in Russia and Ukraine:
'It was from there where they met a Ukrainian surgeon, so when the war broke out they put a shout out to ask how they could help. That's how it started. The beautiful game brings people together.'
He added: There's a greater need for aid out in Ukraine as it's becoming less of a news story. We also ran a campaign to collect children's gift boxes to those less fortunate. Amazing efforts by so many schools; families and even our very own under 13s girls football team.'