THE hard work of a Cotswold charity to help struggling communities in Ukraine has been saved thanks to the 11th hour intervention of a haulage company.

The Cotswold-Ukraine Aid Link collects clothes, shoes, toys, and even bikes from all over the Cotswolds throughout the year.

The charity relies heavily on people donating storage space and the next aid trip, which is due to leave the country this weekend, nearly had to be scrapped when organisers were told the depot they were using was no longer available.

The charity was given just 24 hours to find alternative arrangements or face having to destroy the goods it had collected.

But then the Swindon-based company Circa UK Transport offered its services.

Organiser Peter Littlejohn said: "I couldn't move the palettes without a car and trailor.

"I rang transport firms in Swindon and explained the situation but they all said they would like to help but couldn't.

"Circa Transport really deserves lots of kudos and recognition for coming to our aid and helping us get the stuff to Manor Farm in Kempsford.

"There were 20 palettes, which is about a third of what will fill the lorry."

On Saturday volunteers, including American serviceman from RAF Fairford, will pack up the lorry and send it on its 40-hour journey to Ukraine.

It is the thirteenth such trip organised by the charity, which is very grateful for the generousity of all those who have made this year's mission possible.

In fact, organisers are still £400 short of covering the expense of driving the lorry across Europe, and they hope to find the extra cash soon.

Peter added: "The Cotswold-Ukraine Link has been going for around ten years and is totally reliant on people donating time and money, as well storage space.

"It costs more than £2,000 to send a lorry out there and we need garages and barns to keep the stuff in during the course of the year."

Anyone who would like to find out more about the charity or contribute towards the £400 needed by Saturday should call Peter Littlejohn on 07890 180563.