AN OSTEOPATH delivered a very different kind a relief during a recent aid mission to Ukraine.

Ian Harrison, from Overton, drove 4,000 kilometres as part of a convoy of 14 volunteers and seven vehicles to deliver vital supplies to the Polish border for onwards distribution into the war-torn country.

The group all set off on the journey as part of Eden Aid's ongoing support mission.

Eden Aid is currently running weekly trips to Ukraine in minibuses both rented and donated from nearby schools, including groups of all-female volunteers who bring back some of the more vulnerable refugees.

After dropping off the goods, eight of the drivers stayed on to collect 28 displaced persons, as well as a cat and a dog, to bring them to their agreed host families in the UK.

So far, the group has helped over 400 refugees and an assortment of pets reach safety. Predominantly, these have been women and children.

Formed in response to the conflict, Ian embarked on the charities' 22nd trip to Ukraine after a chance meeting at a drinks party.

While catching up with a friend he was told about the organisation's ongoing efforts. Feeling 'compelled to do something', he got in touch straight away to offer his help.

On Monday, August 9, Ian set off from Eden Aid's Oxford base on the 72-hour round journey.

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Despite the various snagging issues in getting to the Polish border, Ian said the toughest thing about the experience was meeting the refugees in Warsaw.

"I find it hard to talk about at the moment. My voice goes creaky and my eyes well up when I think about it. These people are just like us. One minute everything is fine and then suddenly the house next door has been blown up, neighbours and family members are missing and young men, brothers and fathers have been moved to the front line.

"These are guys with normal jobs like you and I, and now they're in uniforms facing Russian artillery. At the same time, they're doing everything they can to get their women and children to safety."

Although the group mainly consisted of women and children, Mr Harrison also collected a former bus driver who was shelled by Russians while shuttling families to safety.

He suffered lasting mental and physical injuries from the ordeal.

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He added: "It really puts things into perspective. We complain about the speed of our Wifi while these guys are having their homes destroyed.

"What was quite ironic going out is we drove past two places of horror - Colditz Castle and the Kraków concentration camps. It's not that long ago we had a world where we were gassing and executing millions of people, and you just wonder whether we've moved on or not."

After arriving in the UK, the guests split off to join their host families in city's and towns across England and Scotland.

Mr Harrison has said he is heading back over to Poland in October for a second trip with the charity.

For more information on Eden Aid, visit: edenaid.org.