AN EAST Lothian man has embarked on a near-2,000-mile solo trip to deliver aid to Ukrainian people fleeing the war as he attempts to enter the conflict-stricken country to transport refugees across the Polish border to safety.
McLean Sinclair-Parry, of Colstoun House, south of Haddington, set off from his family’s business, The Mart Farm Shop and Cafe in East Linton, on Monday to board a ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, before setting off on a road trip across Europe to Ukraine.
Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, McLean arrived in Poland, with the hope of entering Ukraine by this morning (Thursday).
The 30-year-old is transporting two tonnes of essential aid to the country in his van after being touched by scenes of families forced from their homes as a result of the Russian invasion.
Additionally, the Sinclair-Parry family have offered to host three Ukrainian families at Colstoun House should they arrive in East Lothian.
Alongside accommodation, the family will provide jobs in the walled garden of the house, with everything grown going for sale at The Mart.
McLean Sinclair-Parry has set off from The Mart in East Linton to Ukraine to help the victims of the ongoing Russian invasion
The part-time artist said: “This all started because a person I know went out to Ukraine and I saw his journey on social media surrounding the people he had met and helped.
“I had three weeks off work so I thought: ‘Screw what I’m doing, I’m going to get in my van and raise some money and aid and get over there as quickly as I can.’”
So far, McLean has raised more than £7,000 – £3,000 on his JustGiving page, £2,000 in cash which will be used to buy aid in Poland, and a further £2,000 which has been donated to Sunflower Scotland.
Sunflower Scotland was set up by Natasha Barczuk and her sister Tonya, both Scottish Ukrainians, in Edinburgh to gather aid for families and through their contacts they will deliver help right into Ukraine rather than to Poland.
Additionally, all recent proceeds from The Mart Farm Shop and Cafe will be donated to the charity.
McLean said: “I’m hoping to buy another van when I’m there to donate to people I’m helping and I’m going to help ferry people to refugee centres and give as much help as I possibly can.
“It’s going to be a challenge to get into Ukraine but that is the goal.
“As soon as people need, I will collect them from the border and I can take them anywhere, whether it’s an embassy or a refugee centre.
“Life for me has flipped in a couple of hours; I was in bed and thought: ‘I need to go and help.’”
Items have been donated by the East Lothian community
Colstoun House operates events and weddings, team-building days, a market garden and cookery classes among other activities.
The estate celebrates food that can be made locally and is operated by McLean’s parents Lyndsey and Neil Sinclair-Parry.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, McLean made 100 deliveries a day from The Mart Farm Shop and Cafe to people around East Lothian in the same van he is travelling to Ukraine in, saying: “It was often the only contact people had.”
The Mart, set up four years ago, now employees 13 people full-time.
“It’s proved it’s doing its job as a community hub through the kindness and overwhelming donations from people over the last few days,” McLean said.
“We collected six tonnes of essential donations – four tonnes more than I can physically carry.”
County residents went above and beyond the call of duty to donate items, including camping equipment, dog food, medical supplies and nappies.
Incredibly brave
Paul McLennan, East Lothian MSP, thanked McLean for his “incredibly brave efforts in delivering aid and helping transport refugees”.
He added: “His offer to house three Ukrainian families is also to be commended.
“The Scottish Government is working closely with East Lothian Council to ensure aid is delivered and East Lothian residents will be in a position to host families soon.”
A number of supporters also wished McLean luck. One said online: “Thank you for your love and generosity to the people of Ukraine. Wishing you safe travels.”
Another added: “Wishing you all the very best with your courageous journey. Huge respect for what you’re doing. Well done and my son was very happy to have been able to put his pocket money to some items to help.”
A third comment read: “It is great to see the community get behind you. Good luck with your journey.”
Go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mclean-sinclair-parry to donate.
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