A mayor drove 5,000km to deliver urgent medical aid to a children’s hospital in Ukraine.

Mayor of Swanley Cllr Michael Horwood drove through France, Belgium, Germany, and Poland to Ukraine to transport hospital beds and other medical supplies.

He travelled with co-volunteer Daniel Blanche to the hospital in Fastiv, which looks after children who are physically or mentally injured from the war with Russia.

Cllr Horwood also concluded the signing of the Twinning Agreement between Swanley and Fastiv with Fastiv Mayor Mikhailo Netiazhuk.

Swanley Town councillors voted in support of this in August in a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.

Many residents from Swanley have taken in Ukrainian refugees through the Homes for Ukraine programme, and the Mayor has also hosted 10 refugees in his home in the past two years.

While in Ukraine, Cllr Horwood was shown around Fastiv, and he met with community leaders, organisations and representatives from the Ukrainian military.

The pair returned to the UK on October 18 after an eight-day trip, delivering aid donated by scores of people in and around Swanley.

Cllr Horwood said: “I want to say a huge thank you for the generous aid, donations and support from the Swanley Rapid Relief Team, Callisto Homes, Orton Lifts, Swanley Village residents, colleagues Ryan Hayman, Cllr Cathy Morgan, Cllr Chrissy Hudson and of course my co-driver Daniel Blanche.

“The Fastiv community were not only incredibly grateful for the medical aid, but took every opportunity to ask me to pass on their thanks to the British people for their unwavering humanitarian and military support to Ukraine in fighting against the illegal, and unforgiveable, invasion by Russia.

“I am looking into a number of ways UK international charities can further support the various humanitarian organisations in the city. It is clear that medical supplies and advanced medical equipment is greatly needed, so I would be grateful for any individuals or businesses to contact me who may be able to assist with this.

“I am also looking for anyone who would like to donate pick-up trucks of any basic workable condition that could be donated to the Ukrainian army, which are also sorely needed.”