Ukraine, Saturday, January 12, 2008:

Beetroot For Breakfast:

It had to be really. However, I did not eat much but I did manage to work out the coffee machine.

We get a minibus to the village of Sadovoye and it is so cold the condensation on the inside of the windows froze.

We spent the day distributing shoeboxes. First stop is a rehabilitation centre for street kids.

There are a lot of problems with addiction to drugs and alcohol as well as other effects from their harsh lives.

They are all friendly and it is good to see them being given a second chance and the look on their faces when they open the boxes is worth the trip. They seem so happy to be getting something from complete strangers.

After lunch we delivered parcels to families who have suffered bereavement or illness. This was harder for me and it felt like we were imposing.

All of the families are very hospitable and offered what they could.

It was the coldest I have ever been – even colder than the RAC rally through a Cumbrian forest where I was wearing several layers – and the other members of the group commented that I looked rather pale and asked if I was okay?

We got back exhausted so that night we went out to experience the nightlife to unwind and got back to he hotel quite late.

Looking back I am now realising that the boys in these photos will now be adults and quite likely defending their country against the Russian invasion – if they have been lucky enough to have survived the conflict that is.