Horrors of war moved me to make mercy dash

The Homes Under The Hammer star, 58, writes movingly about his 1,200mile humanitarian mission to the Ukraine border to deliver urgently needed medical supplies and kit...

- Martin Roberts

WHEN something like Ukraine happens it’s easy to feel there’s nothing you can do as an individual to make a difference. Or very little, anyway. After all, what can one person really achieve in the face of huge, horrifying world events?

Images of bombed-out homes, abandoned cars, refugees and hungry, cold families have haunted me since Russian forces moved across the border on February 24.

Like many Britons, I’ve found myself not being able to sleep or, finally dropping off and then waking up crying – worrying constantly about this unfolding tragedy and its consequences for millions of innocent people. It’s like watching a slow-motion car crash in vivid colour in scenes reminiscent of the Second World War but taking place in 21st-century Europe.

A week or so ago, I woke up in desperation thinking, “What can I do to help?” So I went to my local Costco to buy supplies – mainly over-the-counter children’s medicine, sanitary products, nappies and the like.

At the checkout, I was stopped from buying Calpol – there are limits on how much you’re allowed – but people on both sides of me in the queue offered to take it through and then refused my money.

I was so touched by the kindness of strangers I made a short video which went viral. I was very emotional, I’m not ashamed to admit, but these were people at their best.

The response was amazing. I woke up a day later and it had been viewed 30,000 times. I thought there must’ve been some mistake but there wasn’t.

As a result, I was contacted by people assisting an incredible organisation, Help From Bournemouth To Ukraine, that has been sending humanitarian supplies across Europe as the refugee crisis grows.