The Country Food Trust CEO SJ Hunt (centre), Simon Brake (far left) from Mighty Convoy and the team handing over the ambulances and food in Lviv and the meals on the frontline in Lviv with Ukrainian troops
Meals made in the Prime Minister’s constituency for British food charity the Country Food Trust are now being eaten on the frontline by Ukrainian soldiers and civilians fighting Putin.
British charity volunteers handed over four donated former NHS ambulances packed with 10,000 ambient Venison Bolognese and pasta meals to provide urgent medical support and much needed food in a convoy to Lviv.
The 1250-mile trip, which took two days, was organised by the Gloucestershire-based British food charity The Country Food Trust, who supply high protein nutritious meals free for foodbanks in the UK. They also supply raw meat to community kitchens who are cooking daily hot meals to help feed people in need. It was organised in conjunction with Twickenham not-for-profit organisation Mighty Convoy Limited.
The 10,000 donated ‘Country Bolognese’ meals, which were specially made by Holmesterne Foods in Brompton on Swale in the Prime Minister’s constituency of Richmond, Yorkshire, are ideal as the Venison Bolognese and cooked pasta are sealed in pouches, can be eaten hot or cold and heated in boiling water. This is especially important as it allows people hiding underground or soldiers out in the field without electricity or gas to eat.
The four former NHS ambulances carrying the food were driven to Lviv where a charity makes them ready for the front line, to provide urgent medical assistance. They were bought by donations from members of the public. The cost of the food and the four ambulances was nearly £50,000.
The aid mission, called Operation Mighty Convoy, departed from London and took the Eurotunnel to Calais, through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Poland and then into Ukraine.
The decommissioned ambulances were secured by not-for-profit organisation Mighty Convoy Limited. This was their third convoy to Ukraine, bringing the total number of donated ambulances to 11. They were waved off by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer MP.
Ukrainian volunteer Mila Stukalova handing meals to a Ukrainian soldier in Lviv and delivered meals on the frontline
Eight volunteers, including the CEO of the Country Food Trust charity, SJ Hunt, took turns to drive the ambulances to Lviv.
The donated meals were handed over to the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMAU) in Lviv.
This is not the first time the Country Food Trust has donated its nutritious meals to Ukraine.
Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, The Country Food Trust launched a dedicated Ukraine appeal to raise funds to make the meals and send them to those in need.
The campaign raised enough funds to provide 25,200 Venison ragu and pasta meals.
The pallets were shipped into Ukraine in April 2022 directly as part of Operation Manna 2022 as the site of departure RAF Binbrook was in fact the same location used for Operation Manna in 1945, which was a humanitarian aid drop of vital supplies into Holland during their occupation by the Nazis.
One of the 10,000 Country Food Trust meals delivered to Ukraine
The Country Food Trust CEO SJ Hunt said: “We were all touched by the plight of Ukraine and wanted to do all we could to help its people in their stand against Russian aggression.
“We heard about the great work of Mighty Convoy and when they approached us for food to take, we quickly realised our meals were ideal for the conditions out there. The 10,000 meals we’ve taken have been specially adapted for Ukraine by adding cooked pasta.
“The pouches provide a complete, protein-rich, ambient meal that can be eaten hot or cold. They also have a one-year shelf life and do not need to be refrigerated.
“It was a very long drive to Lviv but with two drivers to an ambulance we took the driving in turns and managed to keep going for 40 straight hours. It was arduous at times, but we knew the importance of what we were trying to achieve and on arriving at our final destination we were in no doubt that our lack of sleep was nothing in comparison to the hardship we saw.”
Simon Brake from Mighty Convoy added: “When the invasion happened, we wanted to do our bit. We heard that they needed medical aid and ambulances. We sourced three decommissioned ambulances and did our first convoy last August followed by another convoy of four ambulances in January.
“This time we wanted to take food with the ambulances, and someone told us about the Country Food Trust and their protein rich ambient meals.
“They were able make an incredibly generous donation of 10,000 specially produced high-protein meals to take to our partners, the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMAU).
“The CMAU will distribute these meals to people, both medical and non-medical, in and around the front lines, as the design and portability allows for people operating in the field to carry a few of these food pouches and have a protein rich meal when they would normally have to do without.
“We’re delighted that the Country Food Trust’s CEO joined our team of drivers. All our drivers volunteer their time and pay for their own expenses and flights back, which is greatly appreciated and allows us to spend all our donations on ambulances and fuel costs.
“We will continue making convoys for as long as the war lasts, and for as long as we have the incredible support of our donors and big-hearted organisations such as the Country Food Trust.”
Ukrainian volunteer Mila Stukalova, who is helping to distribute the meals, said: “I would love to say a huge thank you to the Mighty Convoy and Country Food Trust for their great support to Ukrainian people in this very difficult time.
“Every meal we delivered was very much appreciated. We managed to send some to people on the frontline and to a village in Donetsk district. All what they have done is very important to us. It gives our people hope that they have not been forgotten but have people in UK willing to help. Together we can make a big difference.”
Ukrainian Irina Webb, who helped raise money to buy the ambulances transporting the food, said: “Some people are having to survive underground where it’s not possible to cook meals as access to gas and electricity is sporadic. These meals are ideal as they can be boiled in the bag on an open fire.
“Ukrainians have a strong spirit and have weathered the invasion for over a year. Providing these meals and ambulances will make a real difference to them.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer MP said: “This is a remarkable gesture of support for the people of Ukraine. The British public have opened their hearts, homes and wallets to help Ukrainians for over a year and its humbling to see that unconditional support continue.
“I’d like to praise the Country Food Trust and Mighty Convoy for organising this donation for the people of Lviv. They truly are the best of British.
Country Food Trust CEO SJ Hunt (centre) with Veteran Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer MP and drivers and Ukrainian supporters at Westminster before setting off to Ukraine
The FCDO continues to advise against travel to Ukraine. The latest travel advice can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine
Since the Country Food’ Trust’s launch in 2015, it’s ensured over 2.8 million meals have been distributed to food banks and community kitchens across the UK made from an incredible 485 tonnes of game meat donated from UK estates. Its meals have supported more than 3,500 charities.
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For further information, photos and interviews, please contact Sara Kendall at sara@larkinpr.co.uk or call 07814 024266.
Images can be downloaded here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AIYX8Txnf2fNF6BSlyRCjgwWAwu-fxOI
Rushes of the Mighty Convoy ambulances being loaded with the meals, arriving in Lviv and interviews with Country Food Trust CEO SJ Hunt and Mighty Convoy’s Simon Brake can be downloaded here.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XcqPAFGEzP8-PidrlNc0whHoEw2Mv6IT