A team of dedicated firefighters from Norfolk—both serving and retired—have delivered two decommissioned fire appliances to Ukraine, following months of international fundraising and collaboration. Their arrival in Odesa was honoured with a powerful water cannon display.
Organised by the UK charity Actions Beyond Words (ABW), the 2,000-mile convoy spanned seven countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. The team entered Ukraine through the Medyka border, making their first key stop in Uzhhorod.
The team comprised Watch Commander Chris Standley, Neil Day, Jamie Hodkinson, Stephen Bond, and Brian Earley of the Diss & District Rotary Club. They joined up with ABW founder Simon Massey and Norwegian volunteer Robin Yssen at the organisation’s base in Medyka. US donor and veteran Jonathan Lubecky also travelled to meet the team en route.
The two fire engines, fully equipped and ready for action, were procured from Angloco thanks to private donations and significant support from Operation Florian. The vehicles represent more than just machines—they bring renewed hope and capability to under-resourced Ukrainian fire services.
The first fire engine was destined for Pylypets’, a mountainous region made up of nine villages. With most regional fire equipment requisitioned under martial law, local responders were left with outdated or handheld tools. The British team not only delivered the engine but also conducted vital training sessions to ensure it could be deployed immediately.
Their journey then took them to Podilsk, where they revisited a school previously supported by ABW. The visit provided a moment of light and joy for hundreds of children living in wartime conditions. They clambered into the trucks, tried on uniforms, and connected with their British visitors. Teachers Natalka Zaveruya and Inna Yefymova planned every detail of the visit. Reflecting on the day, retired firefighter Neil Day said: “I’ve done hundreds of school visits across my career but nothing compared to today.”
Finally, the convoy reached Odesa. The second fire engine was delivered to local emergency responders and received with a stirring water salute. The team also visited the wreckage of the city’s Emergency Response Centre—obliterated in a missile strike that also destroyed 16 emergency vehicles and over 100 tonnes of aid.
Simon Massey, speaking on behalf of Actions Beyond Words, remarked:
“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 powerful mission was made possible through the generosity of donors including The Pomerleau Family Foundation (Burlington), WDRAC (Tokyo), Jonathan Lubecky (Washington DC), Diss & District Rotary Club, Operation Florian, J W Vass Ltd, SignForce Norwich, West Brothers Thetford, and supporters of ABW worldwide.
With the first two trucks now on active duty, ABW is urgently working to secure funding for the next convoy—Trucks 3 and 4—destined for Kharkiv and areas beyond in the coming weeks.
