A Warminster man who has made more than 30 humanitarian trips to support Ukrainian refugees will set off again this July, delivering schoolbags and supplies for children.
George Sprangle, known as Tommy, will make his next trip to Poland to deliver supplies to a hostel in Bydgoszcz, home to Ukrainian refugees.
Tommy has been delivering aid ever since the war broke out, after volunteering to help drive a van filled with donations.
Tommy, previously community development officer at Warminster Garrison, said, “I’ve done more than 30 trips now. A lot of kids at the hostel are orphans or have fathers out fighting in the war.
“The oldest lady there is about 80 or so. She lived in the same house in Ukraine her whole life – her mother lived in that house and her grandmother lived in that house. That house was part of her family until the Russians decided to blow it up.
“There’s one girl who follows me around every time I visit. One time, she showed me shrapnel wounds which stretched up her arm. Her mum told me, ‘You’re the first man she’s ever shown those wounds to.’”
Tommy gives up his own time for trips to the children’s hostel, which is 100km from the border with Ukraine, and has previously delivered donations such as bikes, clothes and scooters.
For his first few humanitarian trips, he funded the journeys himself, which cost around £2,000 each time. Now, he fundraises to make the trips possible.
Tommy added, “I do it for the kids. I see change in them – how they grow up and grow in confidence.
“I have a few regulars who sponsor me each time, and they make the trip possible. The Warminster and Frome Bridge Club held a charity event recently and gave me £1,050, which was amazing. I get great support from local people, charities and companies.
“Warminster really pulls together, and people have been so generous. The Warminster Lions I have to shout out – Carol [Blaszkiw] has been really supportive in publicising what I’m doing and getting me the donations I need. The Lions have supported me since my very first trip to the hostel.”
People can drop off children’s rucksacks at the Warminster Lions Bookshop on George Street ahead of Tommy’s next trip to Poland on 7th July.
It is hoped around 40 bags can be collected ahead of the new school term.
Alternatively, people can donate directly to Tommy’s fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jmjen-help-ukraine
