KILKENNY’S Chernobyl Children International volunteer, Jim Kavanagh, continues to answer the call of war-torn Ukraine and is sending €150,000 of aid directly to the worst-affected areas in time for harsh-winter conditions and Christmas.
The aid includes vital medical supplies, wood-burning stoves and non-perishable foods, as well as supplies for young babies and the elderly.
Eleven Ukrainian refugees based in Kilkenny joined Jim to load the humanitarian aid into the container throughout the weekend, saying they were delighted to be able to do something to help support their battered homeland.
Speaking about the volunteers and the humanitarian aid on the way to Ukraine, Adi Roche Voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International said;
“In troubled times, it is heart-warming to see the generous hand of friendship extended to the Chernobyl affected country of Ukraine, by Jim, our volunteers and their generous supporters.
“The war has highlighted the immediacy of the problems in the areas, and to see Ukrainian refugees join our efforts here in Kilkenny is so inspiring.”
Jim Kavanagh proved to be a shining example of what true volunteerism is all about when he won the Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year award in 2014.
Having led dozens of humanitarian aid convoys to the Chernobyl affected regions he has hand-delivered millions of euros worth of aid to Belarus and Ukraine with Chernobyl Children International over the past 30 years.
In addition, Chernobyl Children International is providing monthly humanitarian aid through partners in Ukraine, reaching communities that are falling under the radar of much humanitarian aid.
A life-saving Cardiac Surgery Mission will also touch-down in Lviv, Ukraine in December offering babies the best chance of surviving the double-tragedy of Chernobyl and on-going war.
