Ukraine mission was ‘moving’ for Peter, 82
A DUMFRIES pensioner is already preparing to return to Ukraine, just days after coming home.
Peter Dell, 82, began volunteering with humanitarian group Caritas earlier this year and in the last few weeks has made his first trip to the war-torn country to deliver supplies.
He said: “We set off on August 1, and headed through Antwerp, Brussels, across more of Europe, into Poland then crossed the border there into Ukraine. I spent two days in Lviv meeting the locals and some of the troops who were going to the front.”
During his time at Lviv, Peter had a number of experiences that left him ‘deeply moved’. He said: “I met a soldier named Alex, he’s a big six foot tall army bloke, and we talked for quite a long time and he told me about his grandmother who is living in the occupied part of Ukraine.
“By the end of the conversation there were two grown men crying on each other’s shoulders.
“The most moving part was the going to what they call ‘The Field of Mars’, which is a burial ground for all the fallen soldiers of Lviv. I cried my eyes out, it’s such a moving place.
“You see things on the television about Ukraine but it does not have the same impact as seeing it with your own eyes.”
Although the 82-year-old was far from the front lines, there were subtle and not-so-subtle signs of the conflict throughout the city.
Peter explained: “It just seems like a normal city, city life goes on, you wouldn’t know there was a war going on - apart from the fact that a lot of the statues are covered with scaffold and netting to protect them and all the churches have had their stain-glass windows removed. But the actual town itself is alive and going on.
“Whilst I was there I had to download an app which would give us an early warning if something was imminent, but it was quiet for the couple days I was there. The only time it went really quiet was everyday at 9 am as the whole town stops and remembers the fallen. That was quite moving to witness.”
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Now back in Scotland, Peter is gathering donations to take with him on his next journey to Ukraine in October.
Asked if he was looking forward to returning, he said: “To be honest yes, because I’ve met so many nice people there.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’ve had a good life and if it ends then so be it.
“Anyone who has items they’d like to donate can get in touch me directly on social media, we’re looking for medical supplies like crutches, wheelchairs and gauze as well as vehicles, but any donations are appreciated.”
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