A British businessman who returned from Australia intending to go to household has as an alternative spent months delivering veterinary drugs to a number of the elements of Ukraine hit hardest by the Russian invasion.
Neil Henson spoke to H&H within the few days between one journey and the subsequent, explaining that he fell into his present function by chance. He owns racehorses in Darwin, the place his enterprise is predicated, and after he arrived within the UK this autumn, he was talking to folks concerned in racing in Newmarket.
“A good friend mentioned he had all these donations and did I need to assist out,” he mentioned. “She didn’t have a van, so I purchased one.”
The van was loaded up with donations Neil estimates to be value between £50,000 and £60,000. This included veterinary medicines for horses, canines and cats, and “wherever there was a spot, I stuffed it with canine and cat meals, and garments”.
“On that first run, folks mentioned ‘Thanks a lot, however we want the next and might you assist’” he mentioned.
Neil works with charities in Ukraine and right here, together with British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine and animal charity UPAW.
“It’s led me down an uncommon path,” he mentioned. “I’ve been on the entrance line, at vet clinics, visiting the remaining stables, and I’ve made so many buddies.”
Neil takes photos of donated items with the recipients, so donors know their gadgets have gone to the place they had been speculated to. He intends to proceed making the journeys into subsequent yr, whereas his daughter runs the enterprise, and finally assist with the rebuilding of Ukraine.
He has been in espresso outlets when air raid sirens go off, and sheltered in basements as bombs have fallen, and as soon as by chance was pushed right into a Russian-occupied space.
“The woman who was driving took a incorrect flip,” he mentioned. “I instructed her to maneuver over, and I drove out of there with burning wheels. That was shut; we’d most likely have change into a narrative on the information about two Brits captured by the Russians and who is aware of.”
Neil has seen stables demolished by missiles, and fields through which homeowners are afraid to show horses out as there are unexploded bombs.
“Vets try to do their regular work with horses however discover they’re lacking stuff, so that they ask me and I ship the requests again to the UK,” he mentioned. “The donations are making an enormous distinction.
“They’re so grateful for the whole lot and after I see that, I need to keep it up.”
To contact Neil about donations, electronic mail neilhensons@gmail.com
You may also be taken with:
Credit score: Alamy Inventory Picture
Credit score: Future
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is filled with all the newest information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.