Danny Ward, a car mechanic from Kirkhill in the Highlands, has completed a solo journey to the Ukrainian front line, delivering a vehicle filled with essential supplies. Ward drove into the Donetsk region, where he witnessed the daily challenges faced by Ukrainian citizens in a war zone.
The 46-year-old delivered a Nissan X-Trail, affectionately named “Nessie” due to its Highland origin, along with humanitarian aid. He returned with an account of his experiences, including a drone attack, meeting a bomb maker creating resistance weapons from salvaged items, and observing the resilience of the Ukrainian people amidst constant bombardment. Ward’s trip into the militarised zone was undertaken in conjunction with Aid Ukraine UK, a non-profit NGO that delivers supplies directly to front lines and assists with pet and people rescues. He also received help from the charity Highlands for Ukraine.
Ward and his brother-in-law sourced the Nissan X-Trail at the request of Ukrainian soldiers. A delay in approval due to heavy fighting preceded his discovery that a pick-up truck was destroyed that same weekend, killing three occupants. This event further motivated his mission. Using his annual leave from Highland Audi in Inverness, Ward drove the vehicle to the 5th Assault Brigade in Kramatorsk. He explained that vehicles supplied by Aid Ukraine are named for easier identification, hence “Nessie,” a nod to Loch Ness, a story known even by troops who haven’t left the Donbas region. He anticipates Nessie will eventually be destroyed given its mission.
Nessie was packed with vital supplies such as sleeping bags, power banks, water for drone drops, food, snacks, medicine, bandages, protein nutrition, and personal first aid kits. Upon entering Ukraine, Ward noted the removal or scratching out of street signs and closed businesses, marking the reality of a country at war. He experienced air raid sirens and witnessed widespread destruction in Kramatorsk, alongside the resilience, ingenuity, and dedication of the local populace.
Ward, whose father also undertook aid trips to Bosnia in the 1990s, stated his family understood his motivation. He plans a return trip and has launched an online appeal page to raise £3,500 for another vehicle filled with humanitarian aid.
Source: Inverness Courier