Former Weymouth classmates have returned safely from a 2,500-mile supply run to Ukraine.

The core of the group hail from the same class at All Saints School in Wyke Regis in the year 1972/1973 and have been making regular trips to Ukraine with supplies since the war started.

It was Steve Mowlam and Trevor Barrett's turn to make the 2,500-mile, eight-day trip. 

The duo left very early at 3.30am on Sunday, June 18. They met up with a similar van from the Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club driven by Paul Overton and Dave Nolan, before crossing at Dover.

This time the van was packed with 1,500 blankets, medical supplies, PPE and cooking utensils.

Steve said: "We took over a van load of blankets which went to a military outfit close to our usual town.

"A lot of our stuff goes to eastern Ukrainians who have moved to the west."

Dorset Echo:

Pictured: The blankets being delivered to a military outfit in Ukraine

The trailer behind the van has been difficult to get across the border for beaurocratic reasons, so upon arriving at the Poland/Ukraine border Steve and Trevor unhitched the trailer at a nearby farm. There they were met by their Ukranian contact and loaded the supplies into his van before moving across the border.

Once more the supplies were mostly delivered and distributed by the charity Caritas Ukraine.

Mr Mowlam said: "We do tend to deliver things, but this time we didn't have to. So we went on a bit of a tour around Lviv.

"You wouldn't think there was a war on. Apart from the sirens going off which was spooky. People were just getting on with their lives."

Dorset Echo:

Pictured: Unloading the van in Ukraine

Whilst the trip was happening Russia experienced an armed rebellion from the Wagner mercenary group.

Mr Mowlam added: "They (the Ukranians) were keeping an eye on that and we were as well. I reckon, in my opinion, they would have liked a civil war in Russia."

This time the trip cost around £1,250 in fuel and fare, which was paid for with donations. As usual, Steve and Trevor paid for their own keep - around £250 each.

"As far as trips go with probably one of our smoothest," added Mr Mowlam.

"But sooner or later we are going to run out of stuff and it is still as necessary as at the start of the war.

"We would be thankful for any donations, and thank you to anyone that has donated already."

Dorset Echo:

Pictured: From left to right - Marjana from Caritas, Steve Mowlam, Dave Nolan, Trevor Barrett and Paul Overton at the main delivery destination

They arrived back in the UK at midnight on Saturday, June 24. The next trip is on Friday, July 14, with another planned in August.

You can follow the group on Facebook, and see what items they are in dire need of at: facebook.com/heroesdorset

If you want to support their endeavour they can be found at 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