The Pot Place continue pledge with fleet of medical vehicles to Lviv

Plumpton's The Pot Place will be driving what will be their fifth ambulance 'full of medical supplies' across Europe, but thanks to £15,000 of fundraising, they will also be delivering 4x4 and three paramedic motorbikes. 

Co-owner Paul Thomas said: " The ambulance was bought from a company who provides medical cover for events like motor racing based in the midlands.

"It's come straight out of service so all the equipment works as do the lights and sirens," he said. 

Paul, Peter and Norm and their contact Joanna when they arrived with ambulance last year (Image: Supplied)

Their fundraising efforts included a JustGiving page, contributions collected at the garden centre, and a successful fundraising concert held in collaboration with Penrith's Old Coogers Club at the Penrith Old Cricket Club, with support from Penrith Lions.

Paul emphasised the importance of their work despite the reduced media attention on the Ukrainian crisis.

"Our own Kateryna (a refugee of the war) who works in our garden shop has just been home to Kharkiv," Paul said. 

"She sees many internal refugees there from the regions around the city. There are rockets and drones landing every night despite many being shot down.

"Her partner is in the border force doing just that.

"So,  ‘why do we carry on doing what we do to support the emergency services in Ukraine?’ Its easy, we have family and friends there now.

"They live with the constant battle against the Russian forces and we must do whatever we can to help. If Ukraine falls which country is next?"

Paul, Norman Tolson, Jim Kerr and Alan Butcher will be loading one of the bikes into the ambulance, each taking turns driving the other vehicles across borders. 

They aim to arrive in Lviv on October 14. 

Donations are still being welcomed and fundraising efforts will continue when the group returns ahead of another trip.