Aid convoy from Leeds to Romania

In one of the largest trips ever undertaken by the Yorkshire Aid Convoy, six lorries were loaded with aid worth £2.5m.

The volunteers, who set off from Leeds yesterday, include Andrew Hillas from Otley and James Ruddy, of Eclipse Colours in Bradford.

The drive will see them making several drop-offs in Romania.

The charity will be delivering all kinds of supplies, from mattresses and medical equipment to exercise books, pencils, clothes and shoes.

They are also delivering bicycles that have been seized by West Yorkshire Police as stolen goods and remain unclaimed.

The charity also works with people in Romania and the Ukraine to enable them to become self sufficient by buying them livestock, machinery and transport so they can set up their own businesses, including a bakery and a chicken farm.

Volunteer Gary Dooley, director of Leeds firm Pure Creative Marketing, described a previous trip as “one of the most rewarding eight days of my life.”