Odesa, Ukraine — Left Norwich 19 April 2025: After months of tireless fundraising in the UK, Japan, the USA, and coordinated international support from Norway, a team of serving and retired firefighters from Norfolk have successfully delivered two decommissioned fire engines to Ukraine. The mission culminated with a powerful water cannon salute upon their arrival in Odesa.
The humanitarian convoy, organised by the non-profit Actions Beyond Words (ABW), travelled over 2,000 miles through 7 countries— including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland—before crossing into Ukraine at the Medyka border and heading to their first key destination: Uzhhorod.
The team - firefighters Chris Standley (Serving Watch Commander), Neil Day, Jamie Hodkinson, Stephen Bond, along with Brian Earley from the Diss & District Rotary Club -met up with Project Leader Simon Massey, founder of the non-profit Actions Beyond Words, at the ABW HQ in Medyka, Poland, along with Robin Yssen, a longstanding volunteer with ABW from Norway. Private donor and humanitarian volunteer, Jonathan Lubecky and also joined us overnight to meet up with the team.
Together, this team would hand over two fully equipped fire appliances, privately funded through donations & sourced from UK firm Angloco, with vital support from Operation Florian.
The first engine was delivered to Uzhhorod, but headed to the emergency services in Pylypets', a remote Carpathian Mountain region comprising of nine villages. Under martial law, the main regional fire appliances had been repurposed, leaving the community with little more than Soviet-era or handheld equipment. The donation of these “pumps” [Fire Engines with water onboard and a pump system in the back that use hydrants or local free water sources]—along with vital training provided by the UK firefighters on the new equipment, ensuring they can deploy ASAP—restores a critical emergency service to thousands.
Following the first handover, the convoy travelled east to Podilsk, where the team reconnected with a school previously supported by Actions Beyond Words. There, they brought joy to hundreds of children—many of whom have only known life during wartime. The children explored the fire engines, tried on gear, and spent time with the British team in a rare moment of celebration and connection – even the teachers joined in! The team also toured the school shelters, used daily by nearly 1,500 students, offering a sobering insight into life under constant threat. Teachers Natalka Zaveruya and Inna Yefymova planned out the entire experience and we couldn’t be more proud. Firefighter Neil Day (retired) said, “I’ve done hundreds of school visits across my career but nothing compared to today.”
The final destination was Odesa, where the second fire appliance was delivered to the city’s fire and emergency services. Its arrival was marked with a stirring water cannon salute and heartfelt appreciation from local crews and officials.
The team also visited the skeletal remains of the Odesa Emergency Service Response Command and Control Centre, destroyed in a missile strike that obliterated 16 emergency service vehicles and over 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid. What remains is a rusted monument, almost a sculpture of horror: an ever-present reminder of the evil destruction and the immense ongoing need.
Simon Massey, founder of Actions Beyond Words, said:
“This was not just a delivery - it was a mission of solidarity. Firefighters in Ukraine are battling impossible odds, often with outdated or damaged equipment as a result of deliberate acts of aggression. These trucks are more than vehicles; they are lifelines. The journey of this convoy reflects the very best of international cooperation.”
This project was made possible thanks to the generous support of The Pomerleau Family Foundation – Burlington, WDRAC - Tokyo, Jonathan Lubecky – Private donor Washington DC, the Diss & District Rotary Club - UK, Operation Florian - UK, J W Vass Ltd – UK , SignForce – Norwich, West Brothers – Thetford, and Actions Beyond Words’ individual donors worldwide.
With Trucks 1 and 2 now in active service, Actions Beyond Words is urgently fundraising for Trucks 3 and 4, due for delivery in the next 6 weeks, heading into Kharkiv and beyond.
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