A grassroots fundraiser from Wells has delivered critical aid to Ukraine after raising £3,700 in just 10 days—thanks to overwhelming support from local residents.

In mid‑August, Harriet Shawcross set up a GoFundMe appeal to purchase essentials like tourniquets, medicines, fleeces, power banks and vehicle repair tools.

Meanwhile people in Shepton Mallet and Wells donated tents, sleeping bags and walking boots. Evercreech‑based Paul Johns donated space and help packing everything into a 12‑year‑old Mitsubishi L200—the vehicle itself purchased by Hume Shawcross.

Harriet, Hume, and a small team — Peter Tawell, Grahame Nathan, Charles Milne and Edward Wragge — then embarked on a six‑day, 2,200‑mile journey.

Through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, they stopped in cities like Calais, Krakow and Kyiv — before finally reaching Donetsk Oblast where the supplies were handed over to the military. There were tense moments on route, including a near‑miss when a heavily loaded hay tractor pulled across their path at 70mph.

While battling war's distant effects, Harriet said Ukraine itself is "a vast and beautiful country," where daily life persists despite air raid sirens. She praised supporters for making every donation matter: "Your generosity was truly appreciated by those who received it."

Work continues locally — Paul Johns is still collecting items at his warehouse, and those wishing to donate or help are being asked to get in touch.

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