Retired GP living in Sheffield and mum, 84, to drive 1,300 miles to deliver lifesaving vehicle to Ukraine
As the four-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is marked today, a retired GP from Sheffield and his mum, aged 84, are preparing to drive to the war-torn country to deliver a vehicle that could help save lives within days.
Duncan Still, from Sheffield, and his mother, Hazel, will be travelling at the end of April – covering 1,318 miles in a 4x4 pick up truck across seven countries in three day.
They are heading to the largest and deadliest war zone in Europe since World War Two.
They have volunteered to join Driving Ukraine, a grassroots aid operation that supplies Ukrainian frontline medic units with the vehicles they need for evacuations.
Dr Still hopes to put a Ukrainian focus back in the media and “hopes to inspire others to do the same”.
He added: “I am going to have some quality time with my mum.”
Fynn Watt, Driving Ukraine founder, said: “Since the beginning, Driving Ukraine has been about action, not standing by and watching.
“Duncan and Hazel have taken on this amazing journey with us and this represents our mission, turning generosity and courage into life-saving action.”
Driving Ukraine has mobilised over 1,600 volunteers, completed 54 convoys, and delivered 300 vehicles, raising over £2.1 million to support medical evacuation efforts.
The convoy will consist of at least six multigenerational pairings, similar to Duncan and Hazel.
Denys, a Ukrainian medic, told the Driving Ukraine team: “These vehicles represent more than just four wheels to us, they’re a chance, a lifeline. If I get wounded, these vehicles will be my ambulance."
On arrival in Lviv, the vehicle will be handed to the Driving Ukraine workshop, run by veterans, where it will be hardened for frontline use. It will then be taken deeper into the country by medics for evacuation of the wounded.
Duncan and Hazel have been invited to the town hall to receive thanks from the Mayor of Lviv City’s administration.
In Ukraine an evacuation attempt is made every nine minutes. Without fast, all-terrain, reliable vehicles, casualties often don’t survive the journey.
The convoys are driven by volunteers from all walks of life: paramedics, IT engineers, farmers, even professional racing drivers. Many take annual leave or unpaid time off to join missions.
Mr Watt said: “It felt like the best of Great Britain. Just people turning up to help.
“Maybe we can’t change the course of the war, but we can change the course of an evacuation, and that’s a life saved.”
Dr Still said he has always been involved in peace work, living in Bosnia during the 1990s during the war for five years, while currently housing a refugee at his home. He lives in Sheffield after previously working as a GP in Bristol.
He said: “With how privileged I am, I want to share some of that privilege.
“It’s the last time I have for the next couple of years.”
His mother, Hazel, was born a refugee in Canada in World War Two, and works with Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG), a volunteer group who befriend asylum seekers.
You can support Duncan and Hazel’s journey here (https://donorbox.org/duncanandhazel), with any donation made going directly towards the cause in Ukraine.