“Bothered” by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the impact on its people has led Tim Rea to travel to the other side of the world and become a humanitarian.
The Nelson resident jetted to Holland in early July and established in Leerdam, about one hour south of Amsterdam, to volunteer at Fast Lane Ukraine.
The foundation delivers aid from various charities to organisations stationed at the Ukraine border to pass on to those who need it most in the war-torn country, and transports its refugees to safer pastures.
Tim says he has so far completed three trips, which usually take a few days, and delivered thousands of food items, clothing and sanitary products to the Ukraine border as well as collected and transported around 40 refugees to Holland, a 3000km round-trip.
“When we first get them generally, I will say some of them are ok, but some of them are scared... By the time you’ve spent a couple of days with them they’re pretty comfortable… and they do express how much they appreciated what you did.
“They’re coming out of some pretty terrible situations, it’s not nice, no one would choose this, but this is the best option they have at this time.”
Tim says when he and the refugees arrived in Holland, he dropped them off at Red Cross shelters, which are generally vacant office buildings with a shared kitchen and bathroom.
“It’s probably not a nice place to cope but it’s safe from the war,” he says.
Tim says farewelling the refugees had, at times, been emotional, particularly one woman who had travelled with a small carry-on bag for her and her two children.
“I would not describe myself as an emotional guy but I did struggle to hold myself together as we said our goodbyes, it was quite sad for me understanding she has left behind everything and everyone she knows,” he says.
“She does this for the sake of her children but with the little we can communicate, she expresses she is scared about how she will live, where the children can go to school, and if she can she work to provide for them.
“The Netherlands government does help with some allowance and there are various support services but to come to a country on your own with two young children with just the clothes on your back is something I just can’t imagine.”
Tim says he planned to continue supporting Ukraine until at least October but warned reduced funding for Fast Lane Ukraine may cease its operations.
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