Trip to Ukraine Aug 26 and Award ceremony July 2026 (see below)
August 26 – Taking a Mitsubishi L200 to Uzhhorod, Ukraine
Rupert and Guy
Day one: Plymouth to Bruges
Today has been eventful. Leaving Milton at 05 30 we were due to arrive at the tunnel before midday with car purring along. At Wincanton we ground to a halt as the diesel particular filter on the pick up was blocked. We called out the local recovery team with mobile mechanic and they regenerated the filter. All the lights returned to normal and the car drove off perfectly after only one hour’s delay.
We steamed off at 70 mph but got 3 miles before the same problem happened. After a great deal of calling around, the recovery mechanic found a garage in Salisbury who, for cash, would do a fix. We got towed 15 miles into Salisbury, waited all afternoon and eventually got going at 5:30. We headed to the tunnel but French customs were so slow the first train and arrived in France after 11 pm and reached an Ibis in Bruges at 12.30.
Oh well, all part of the fun!
Pics
Recovery on A303, storms in Kent
Day 2: Bruges to Prague
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Bruges at 08.30 and cruised uneventfully across Germany. As we approached Prague the heavens opened and we drove through eerily deserted streets through the downpour. We arrived at 8.30 back on schedule-not bad after 8hours+ delay yesterday.
Pics
Approaching Prague
Day 3: Prague to Uzhhorod
Excellent breakfast at Cafe Manna with Nick and Kamila. The rain had stopped and we headed to Zahony through the mountains of Slovakia in bright sunshine.
In the remote rural roads of Slovakia Hungary border country our sat nav took us to a river- no ferry in sight! 10 more kilometres of potholed, broken roads in the dark was entertaining. Got to Zahony checkpoint at gone 8.30 pm.
We were 4 hours at the border with detailed checks by some unfriendly staff, both in the Hungarian and Ukrainian sectors. Some were polite and friendly but not the senior ones who were in charge.
It was 2.30 am when we finally got to bed in Uzhhorod.
Day 4: In Uzhhorod
Fresh after a good sleep and simple breakfast at the posh hotel (Rupert overslept by an hour) we delivered aid the children rehab centre Malyatko. Then handed over the car at 2pm. Dinner with Gennady and family was a lively affair.
Some images of Uzhhorod
Day 5 Uzhhorod to Plymouth
Easy ride in a taxi from hotel to Kosice via Ublya border crossing. Leisurely stroll and excellent lunch in Kosice old town before Wizz air whisked us home. Got back gone midnight.
Award ceremony Friday 24 July 2026
Ukrainian Military Award presented to Devon-Based Charity, Nightingales UK.
Sherwell United Church
Drake Circus, Plymouth.
Nightingales UK, a small volunteer-led organisation based in the village of Milton Combe received a special award from the Ukraine Army from Dmytro Maslenykov, Dmytro is Head of International Relations at two Charity Foundations (All for Humanity & Kozak Drive and Children’s Minds). Dmytro had travelled from Kyiv to present the award to the Nightingales team and was welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth.
The Nightingales UK team receive their medals and plaque from Dmytro
The award recognises Nightingales UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine through:
- Delivering 20 four-wheel-drive vehicles to army paramedics for casualty evacuation.
- Procuring and delivering medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
- Supporting frontline medical services and local communities.
Nightingales UK is run by volunteers from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including medicine, physiotherapy, engineering and business. From its base in the small village of Milton Combe, the group works closely with the Ukrainian community in Devon and has built strong partnerships with organisations in the UK, Ukraine, the Czech Republic amongst other countries.
The USP Choir, Dmytro and the Nightingales team
The event included
- An introduction to Nightingales UK and videos of its work by Dr Rupert Jones
- An address by Dmytro Maslenykov on the current situation in Ukraine and the how Nightingales is helping the military medics to meet the needs.
- Dmytro presented an award to :
- Nightingales committee- Denise Ullmann, Anton Horwich, Olena Vorona, Nick Benny, Dan Halton and Rupert Jones
- An award for Janey Bryson, star fundraiser for Nightingales
- An award for Richard Maynard and his team from North Devon who also support Ukraine in a similar way
- A discussion about potential twinning of Irpin to Plymouth led by Mr David Salter
- Ukraine Space Plymouth choir sang 4 traditional songs followed by a rousing National Anthem of Ukraine
The superb quality medals are shown below as is the Plaque which reads:
“The Command and personnel of the Military Unit A5018 express words of unlimited gratitude for your support and all round assistance. Thank you for your support of the soldiers serving in the Mashoyi unit who are, at this time, desperately fighting for the land. With best wishes for peace, goodness and victory.
Slava Ukraine.
With respect personnel of the of the 2 3 AGON SPO (Special Forces)”
In reply Dr Rupert Jones stated: “We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It reflects the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters, whose efforts continue to make a tangible difference to people affected by the war in Ukraine.”
Dr Denise Ullmann responded “Thanks goes both ways, we are so grateful for the brave forces of Ukraine who are protecting us all in Europe.”
Anton Horwich added “I come from a refugee family displaced in the second world war. That’s why I’m so keen to help. Nightingales UK we would be nowhere without the support of many people and this award is for them as much as us”
The choir of Ukrainian Space Plymouth
Janey Bryson, star fundraiser!
Twinning proposal- David Slater and Dmytro Maslenykov and the video from the Mayor of Irpin
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth with Dmytro and the Nightingales UK team
An individual medal
The plaque awarded to Nightingales UK