A retired army officer who joined an aid convoy to Ukraine has shared an account of his journey with a packed audience in Stockbridge.

Mark Betteridge, 66, from Hurstbourne Tarrant set off from the town with humanitarian supplies, to drive to Lviv, as part of the Ukraine Pickups for Peace convoy last month.

Mr Betteridge explained how the convoy of aid vehicles had grown to 37 pickups and 76 drivers by the time they had reached Wroclaw in Poland.

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(Image: Mark Betteridge) They crossed the border into the Ukraine having travelled 1,300 miles and driving for 10 hours for three days.

Speaking to an audience in Stockbridge, Mark captured the moments of tension: “We were briefed to form a tight convoy not letting anyone break the chain of pickups, not to stop for red lights, level crossings, zebra crossings or any trams. With four-way flashers on, we all set off behind our Ukrainian police escort.”

The audience heard how the group arrived at the Town Hall in Lviv and were given a tour of the town, witnessing first-hand the devastation caused by the bombing since the war started in February 2022.

A somber visit to the town’s cemetery was very moving as Mark retold his story: “The cemetery was hugely moving, but that was to be expected. Families sitting quietly on benches beside the grave of their son, father, brother, wife or daughter, the photos of the dead on every grave with an age range of 19 to 60, and new graves being dug.”

The talk at Stockbridge Town Hall raised a further £600 for the charity, Ukraine Pickups for Peace and Mr Betteridge said the funds would be used to plan further ventures this year.

Pickups for Peace is a registered charity which delivered its 419th vehicle last week. If you have been so inspired by Marks’ journey and wish to contribute, please visit his Just Giving page.