A proposal has been set to help Ukrainian war victims, by sending out caravans in order to provide shelter during the upcoming harsh winter months
When Tania Leigh recently visited Ukraine she saw a country deep in conflict, caught in the middle of war, and in dire need of help. And now, upon her return to the UK, she and her husband, Dr Warren Leigh, have decided to do something about it. And that’s where caravans are set to play an important role.
They proposed to send out caravans, of any size, from Gloucestershire to the war-torn country in order to help them in their ongoing conflict.
The Caravans for Peace appeal was launched by the Leighs just two weeks after Tania’s return from the war-torn region and is asking people to spare their unused caravans to help victims of the conflict who have been forced out of their homes and in need of shelter – especially as winter approaches, when temperatures usually drop drastically to as love as -30C.
“In Ukraine come September, the weather changes dramatically, and we want to provide shelter for people whose homes have been destroyed. There are some people living in cellars or in tin sheds, which is not right,” said Warren of the current situation.
“Caravans will provide warmth and security to those people in the winter months, and also allow them to stay in the communities they’ve become a part of,” he continued.
Alex Pennington, director of Golden Castle Caravans in Churchdown, has already pledged to provide a caravan to this great cause, in addition to other caravanners already aware of the campaign.
Alex said: “It’s a really worthwhile cause. It’s our field of expertise so we are more than happy to lend our support and help get the appeal off the ground.”
Now, the Leighs are eagerly waiting to hear from a landowner who may be able to give up some of his land to keep the mobile homes before they are shipped to Ukrainian docks such as Odessa.
The pair has also already spoken to the other side, asking the Ukrainian Embassy for help in providing a barge to transport the caravans, and for potential Ukrainian co-ordinators of the project to travel with them.
Caravans for Peace also hopes to provide portable gas cannisters, and are aiming to fit the caravans with solar panels. Although their main objective is to find people who can supply them with the caravans needed to complete their work. They are also happy to accept any financial donations that could help deliver these portable homes and get them to where they are needed most.
With more than 1,000 people fleeing from conflict zones in Eastern Ukraine, Warren said: “These are innocent people who are suffering, and I hope this will appeal to people in Gloucestershire who have to live in caravans following the floods.”
“When you get so involved with an issue like this, you begin to come up with practical solutions, and caravans were the only solution we could see.”
If you have the opportunity to help out, we would urge you to. And it’s great to see our love for caravans help in such desperate situations.
To find out how you can help more, visit Caravans for Peace.
