Classmates who attended a Weymouth school together almost 50 years ago have teamed up to make regular deliveries of supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The mission is to deliver much-needed medical supplies and humanitarian aid to homeless migrant families stranded in Ukraine.
They are using two large vans and a trailer driving from Portland to a humanitarian depot in western Ukraine. It's a round trip of eight days and racks up more than 2,500 miles.
The journey takes the group through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland and just across the border into western Ukraine.
The core of the group hail from the same class at All Saints School in Wyke Regis in the year 1972/1973. After splitting up at age 16, they reconnected at a class reunion and got on board with the mission spearheaded by Terry Hansford and Steve Mowlam.
The duo decided to follow suit in March and bought an old blue Wessex Water van for £4,100. They made the eight-day journey three times in quick succession. Each time delivering supplies ranging from clothes, bedding, medicine, and food. Since then they have even delivered two new petrol generators which went to a local hospital and a medical centre.
Terry said: "The first trip we were really anxious because we didn't know what we were doing. It was real cloak and daggers.
"Every time we go there we are treated very well. I spent 30-odd years as a serviceman in Germany during the Cold War, and what I think Ukraine is doing now is fighting that Russian threat for us. Their resilience speaks for itself."
The group's average age is 66, with most members being semi or completely retired.
Although there are more than a dozen members, usually only a couple will make the journey at a time. Overall more than 15 trips have been made.
Each trip generally costs upwards of £900 in fuel and tickets, which is paid for through donations. Each crew member pays for their own keep on the trip.
Recently they have been working with the humanitarian charity Caritas to distribute supplies.
The next trip will be this weekend. Steve Mowlam and Trevor Barrett will be delivering more than 1,000 blankets to Ukraine and a trailer of medical gear.
Harry Barnes recently returned from his first trip with the group. He said: "It was a poignant moment when I was leaving Ukraine and my back was to them. I felt like I was leaving them behind. It is such a mix of emotions."
Mike Lloyd said: "It makes you realise how lucky we are."
Trevor Barrett described the experience as 'sobering' and added: "There is a military presence everywhere. There are checkpoints on every bridge."
The van is maintained thanks to the efforts of Mike Llyod and Pete Wallace-Gould. On the home front, the group is aided by a core of fundraisers. All money raised goes towards fuel and tickets.
Terry added: "An awful lot of people have contributed to us in Dorset. Thank you from us and from the people over in Ukraine."
They have received support from organisations including; Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club, Freemasons, the rotary clubs of Weymouth, Portland and Wareham, pupils from St Nicholas and St Lawrence Schools, and more.
You can follow the group on Facebook at: facebook.com/heroesdorset
If you want to support their endeavour they can be found on gofundme.com/f/delivering-aid-and-spreading-the-word-into-2023 or by searching "Delivering Aid and Spreading the Word into 2023" on gofundme.com
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