Woman aims to be in driving seat for European aid mission

Liz Cohen, 24, who works as a personal assistant for law firm Simpson Millar, is preparing for the 15th annual aid convoy, which sets off on September 3.

She will be driving a 7.5 tonne lorry in a 10-lorry convoy.

Organised by the Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA), the convoy will deliver clothing, toiletries, medical equipment, incubators, mattresses, nappies and toys to some of the 20,000 orphans living in Moldova and Transnistria.

Travelling in vehicles on loan from BT, Royal Mail and Parcelforce, the organisation has so far delivered over 2,000 tonnes of aid worth over 1m to some of Europe's poorest countries.

Ms Cohen, from Whitkirk, will travel alongside colleagues and members of the CWUHA approximately 4,000 miles, facing changeable weather and unpredictable road conditions.

She said: "I expect the journey itself to be incredibly demanding but handing out the aid will really push my emotions to the limit.

"Learning to drive an HGV is quite challenging but so far I have enjoyed getting to grips with being behind the wheel. Doing it for such a worthwhile cause provides all the determination I need to qualify so I can do my fair share of the driving."

To raise money that will go towards buying the aid for the trip, she is also taking part in sponsored 10-mile bike ride on June 26. Donations can be given at: www.justgiving.com/Elizabeth-Cohen

Joining her is assistant solicitor Ricki James, from Barry, Wales, who travelled with the CWUHA convoy in 2008 alongside the firm's managing partner Peter Watson to distribute aid to four orphanages in Bulgaria.

Ms Cohen urged people to consider making a donation to a worthwhile cause.

"We will be delivering aid to children aged between six and 21 who live at a foster and transitional care centre in Tiraspol – Moldova's second largest city.

"Everyone taking part has been given a list of essential aid items that these children so desperately need which we hope to fill the trucks with.No donation is too small and we are grateful for all the help we can get."