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the christmas trip 2023
The trip started on the evening of 29th December, with the first pit stop at Severington, Kent to pick up customs paperwork. It would also be the first small hurdle to overcome for the team, with a clip breaking on the battery of the artic unit, meaning it was going nowhere. Luckily Mr Poland (another driver from Poland) saved the day with a spare clip, which could be used before a proper repair was done another day. The journey could then continue, through Eurotunnel and across Europe.
New Years Eve was spent in Romania, before entering into Moldova and 10 days there, visiting many villages and schools, as well as an older persons home and children's home. Santa made an appearance at each school to provide gifts for the children and the team hand delivered food parcels around the villages. Bulk food was also delivered to the Ukraine distribution centre in Balti.
The artic lorry contained 26 pallets of medical supplies in the form of masks, syringes and needles and these were delivered to 22 hospitals and medical centres across the country, see map at the bottom of the page for the distribution locations.
Iulia and Vlad (photo below) joined the team for a day or so, Iulia doing a sterling job of being Santa and Vlad the snowman.
Half way through the time in Moldova the snow arrived, which did not prevent anything being delivered, it just added to the atmosphere of Christmas but it was very cold.
A selection of photos from the trip can be viewed in the photo gallery.
New Years Eve was spent in Romania, before entering into Moldova and 10 days there, visiting many villages and schools, as well as an older persons home and children's home. Santa made an appearance at each school to provide gifts for the children and the team hand delivered food parcels around the villages. Bulk food was also delivered to the Ukraine distribution centre in Balti.
The artic lorry contained 26 pallets of medical supplies in the form of masks, syringes and needles and these were delivered to 22 hospitals and medical centres across the country, see map at the bottom of the page for the distribution locations.
Iulia and Vlad (photo below) joined the team for a day or so, Iulia doing a sterling job of being Santa and Vlad the snowman.
Half way through the time in Moldova the snow arrived, which did not prevent anything being delivered, it just added to the atmosphere of Christmas but it was very cold.
A selection of photos from the trip can be viewed in the photo gallery.
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ThE trip in numbers.......
- 3 vehicles
- 4350 miles covered
- 970 shoebox gifts
- 240 food parcels
- Hand delivered to 8 schools and villages
- 14 hospital beds
- Over 2 tonnes of bulk food
- 50 carrycots filled with nappies and clothing
- 1,412,000 needles & syringes and 36,000 face masks
- Delivered to 22 hospitals and Medical centres
- 1 ice scraper broken on a snowy morning
- 1 puncture
- 1 headlight bulb changed
- 1 broken artic battery clamp
- 2 occasions of diesel freezing in the lorry
- 2571 photos
- -17 degrees on the coldest day
- 155 baked beans in the breakfast on the ferry (or maybe not!)
- Lots of individuals and groups donating gifts, food and aid making it all possible
The Christmas and New Year lights in Balti, Moldova.
map of locations where medical aid delivered
Donation links
