Kearsley: Harvey Transport taking aid to Ukraine

Haulage firm, Harvey Transport on Old Hall Street, Kearsley, will be taking one of their HGVs to the Poland-Ukraine border.

It is the second time the business has helped people in a war torn state.

Managing Director Ken Harvey and HGV driver Gary Barlow are completing the 3,200-mile round-trip in order to help the people of Ukraine.

Gary previously took supplies to Bosnia during the Yugoslavian War in the 1990s for the company.

Read more: Bolton marks milestone in scheme to help Ukrainians fleeing war

Now, Ken and Gary are on their way to the Poland-Ukraine border, having left on Wednesday morning.

Managing Director Ken Harvey (pictured) and HGV driver Gary Barlow are taking it in turns driving (Image: Newsquest)

They are delivering almost 25 tons of aid on behalf of Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid, including medicines, toiletries and hospital equipment.

Ken said: “I was approached by a friend of mine.

“It’s a charity, these people over in Huddersfield have worked wonders.

“They’ve been sending vans over, but this is a lot, 25 tons of cargo, so I jumped at the chance.”

Read more: Bolton unites for poignant service marking 1 year since the invasion of Ukraine

He continued: “It’s just the things you see on the television. It’s a good cause and the people are desperate.

“We are taking things like toiletries, paracetamol – there must not be any paracetamol left in West Yorkshire.

“We’re also taking redundant hospital equipment that has been donated, as well as wheelchairs and the like. The trailer is completely full.

“It just brings a lump to your throat when you see how generous people can be.”

He added: “You’ve got to trust the man that’s driving when you’re asleep. I trust Gary and he trusts me.

Read more: 'It's the right thing to do' nurses bravely heading to Ukraine to provide aid

“When you’re driving at night and you’re trying to sleep. But we will be there by Friday afternoon by hook or by crook.”

The firm have had a trailer liveried especially for the occasion (Image: Newsquest)

Ken and Gary will be doing a second run once they get back from the first one.

Ken said: “The people in Huddersfield have booked another truck, so we’ll go back to Huddersfield and then back to the border.

“We will probably be back on Thursday (March 23) and will then leave again on the Saturday.”

Any charities that would like to contact Harvey Transport for a charity run can call them on 01204 577051.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at zach.harrison@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @zachhjourno.