I TOOK MY SON TO A WAR ZONE
Lad, 10, joins mum after inspiring her to aid Ukraine troops
A BRITISH mum and her 10-year-old son put their lives on the line in a mission to deliver frontline aid to Ukrainian troops.
Housewife Clare Wilson, 46, young son William and 24-year-old nephew Sam dodged the threat of air attacks during a six-day trip.
And while she said her husband Jeremy was proud of her decision, she admitted she faced resistance from their two daughters, aged six and seven, over the perilous journey.
Recalling how her mobile began to sound air raid alerts even as they reached Ukraine, Clare said: “As we sat on the border, we had two air raid warnings on our phones.
“It was frightening – it made us realise what we were doing. I appreciate I’ve taken my son and my nephew into a war zone, but it’s as safe as it can be.”
Clare and Jeremy had considered going on the mercy mission together, but ruled it out fearing they could both be killed – making orphans of their three children.
SUPPLIES
Clare, William and Sam set off from their village in Somerset on June 11 on a 1,400-mile road trip in a £3,500 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4.
Bought on eBay with cash raised by family and friends, it was packed with battlefield supplies, including tourniquets and splints. And it was given to Ukrainian forces for use as a combat ambulance as soon as they reached Lviv on June 14.
Clare said the mission was sparked by her son after their village became home to a number of Ukrainian refugees.
William had learned from his new classmates about the conflict with Russia – and appealed to his mum to take action.
Clare said: “He has friends whose dads are fighting on the front line and he wanted to help get the families back together.”
Keen to foster his humanitarian spirit, she signed up for the 13th convoy being run by the charity Pickups for Peace.
Along with more than 30 other trucks from the UK, they crossed Europe to the war-torn country, some travelling on to the besieged city of Kharkiv.
The charity has taken more than 300 vehicles to troops in Ukraine since February 2023.
The convoy was inspected for two hours, first by Polish border guards and then again in Ukraine, before moving on under police escort.
As locals waved Union Jacks and shouted their thanks, they took two hours to reach Lviv, to be welcomed by the mayor and dozens of soldiers.
With the dire shortage of equipment facing the army, some immediately took off in the trucks. Others who stayed for an official ceremony were amazed to see William – understood to be the youngest member of an aid convoy of its kind.
Clare said: “I hadn’t taken on how emotional it would be. The guys kept
It was very emotional. They took badges off their uniforms to give to him for being so brave
saying ‘thank you’ and giving us fist bumps and hugs. I got quite teary.”
The trio also visited the city’s Lychakiv cemetery, where thousands who died fighting now lie buried.
Clare said: “There was an old lady by a grave, talking to it. There were men and women buried, mostly in their 20s and 30s. It’s heartbreaking.
“Our guide showed us the grave of a young man who had signed up and was killed on the first day of the war.”
Despite the daily threat of air raids, Clare said the city was carrying
on “like normal”. They met a couple at a church, waiting to wed.
The young groom was due on the front line a week later. Taxis carrying coffins were making their way to the cemetery. Clare said: “There’s a curfew from midnight to 5am, otherwise it’s a bustling city.”
They even watched the Scotland v Germany match in the hotel bar, as a bagpiper played
Auld Lang Syne and a couple in Ukrainian dress danced.
But Clare said: “I’d just got to sleep afterwards when the sirens went and we had to go to the bomb shelter. We waited it out for around 40 minutes. People brought pillows and blankets, and the kettle was on for tea and coffee.”
The convoy included British police officers, a father and daughter, a group of friends in their 20s, and “a lot of lovely older gentlemen”.
The following evening, they joined
Ukrainian troops for a meal – where William was guest of honour.
Clare said: “It was very emotional. They took badges off their uniforms to give to him for being so brave.”
She admits she decided to ignore Foreign Office warnings that travelling to Ukraine to fight – or to assist others engaged in the war – “may amount to offences under UK legislation”.
Clare said: “To go to a country where there’s a war is mindblowing. It’s not safe, but trying to save a life is important. We can all help in some way.”