Delivering donations to offering refugees a home in Downton, how two friends are making a difference
Dash to Poland delivers aid and much more
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
Two friends have delivered hundred of donations of aid collected in Downton and the Chalke Valley to a town in Poland close to the Ukrainian border.
David Williamson-Jones and George Syrett had an overwhelming amount of donations in just days with four vans in total heading to Przemysl.
Many of the donations had been collected at The Goat in Downton, the pub's owner Carolina who is Polish had been helping the pair with contacts in her country.
More than £20,000 has also been donated on their JustGiving page.
As well as delivering aid the pair also headed to the train station in Przemysl to help refugees coming off the trains, paying for taxis and hotels for them.
With the vans empty they also gave lifts to refugees.
George Syrett told Greatest Hits Radio it was heart-breaking hearing their stories and witnessing how much the conflict has affected them.
"The children were traumatised, they were scared of load noises, they were scared of aeroplanes. We stopped at a service station and I bought the children some toys, because they hadn't had any for a long time and a plane went overhead, the children screamed and ran back to the van."
The pair also helped two Ukranian sisters, one of whom has a 6 year old son.
David told us the family had endured 'five days sleeping on the platform of the underground' before a 21 hour train journey where they had to stand.
Olesya, her little boy Damir, and his aunt Elina were 'exhausted and emotional' and after initially being reluctant accepted David and George's offer of help.
The family had no real plans and so began a plan to get them to the UK.
With difficulties arranging a visa George's family in Paris stepped up to help taking on the family until it can be sorted.
They met in Brussels where George's sister-in-law took the trio back to the French capital.
The long term aim is for Oleysa, Elina and Damir to make Downton their home with the trio set to be sponsored by George and another friend from the village.
Carolina who runs The Goat has offered them work if they need it and it's hoped Damir will be able to go to the local primary.
George says he couldn't just walk away;
"When you see two women and a child with no where to live and they've had everything taken away from them you have to move heaven and earth to do something."
The whole experience has also moved David:
"I think were incredibly lucky to have what we have in this country in terms of freedom of speech, security and lifestyle. I told my children, right if you were to leave home in a minute, you've got a suitcase but your life is affectively in your suitcase. You have to start again."
The United Nations says 2 million refugees have left Ukraine.