As a second lorry prepares to make the journey to Eastern Europe to give aid collected by the people of Swindon to Ukraine, the town has received praise for the first lorry full. 

Tomasz and Piotr from 2KR Transport were among the first lorries from the UK to arrive in Poland on March 3 to deliver aid, collected at the Polish Community Centre.

Swindon Advertiser:

The trailer was unloaded by volunteers and firefighters, packed into smaller lorries and driven into Ukraine. 

A former Polish parish priest in Swindon, Father Jaroslaw Kozak, was there in Poland and praised the efforts of the town.

"Thank you Swindon and surrounding areas for your help for Ukraine," he said. 

He also praised the town's professional way of preparing the delivery, saying it made things very easy to unload. 

Swindon Advertiser:

The pair from 2KR transport who made the drive and are now safely back in Swindon reflected on their experience in a post on the businesses' Facebook page. 

"After more than two days of driving and covering over 2,000 km, in the late afternoon we reached our destination," it said. 

"On the spot, we also saw people who were helped and people who had just arrived leaving their country with literally one bag in hand. 

"The emotions that accompanied us left us speechless and tears appeared in the eyes. On the way, we met a lot of people, vehicles, and buses from Ukraine filled to the brim.

"Thank you for your big heart and willingness to help."