North East man travels 1,300 miles in campervan to deliver aid for people fleeing Ukraine war

A businessman from Gateshead has travelled 1300 miles in a campervan to deliver aid to Ukrainians fleeing war.

Ed Blackbird drove for three days across Europe to Poland in his hired motorhome after being moved by scenes of women and children forced from their homes as a result of the Russian invasion.

On arriving at the Poland-Ukraine border, he told ITV Tyne Tees he had seen families who had lost their homes and businesses.

He said: "There are lots and lots of young kids, three-year-olds, six-year-olds, ten-year-olds, lots of women and a few guys. They've left houses behind, they've left businesses behind - families, mams, dads, brothers.

"It's exactly why I've come. I'll get back home and we'll assess the situation and I might come back."

He was delivering hundreds of items donated by the local community.

For his journey, he placed a letter and cuddly toy - donated a by a four-year-old girl called Phoebe - on his dashboard to keep him focused on the task.

In the letter, she wrote: "I’m so sad to hear about the terrible things happening in your country. Whenever you’re feeling sad, please cuddle Hope. Sending lots of love and kisses, from Phoebe."

He said he was touched by the generosity of the community, but particularly by Phoebe's letter.