Nearly three years after the war in Ukraine began, New Zealanders are continuing to send help to soldiers and civilians from afar.
A fifth shipping container is being filled with merino underwear and hospital supplies to help those worst affected.
Weft Knitting Company owner Hugh Douglas initially donated 1500 merino tops in January 2023, but now he’s donating even more. This time, a thousand merino undergarments with a special message on the inside label that says "for unbreakable Ukrainians" will soon be on their way to soldiers on the frontline.
"It is soul-destroying but I think it’s great, it sends a very powerful message to them that we care," Douglas said.
Along with the clothing, they’re also sending hospital beds, wheelchairs, and nappies.
Ukrainian Association Southern Regions vice president Vladimir Rodnyanskiy said: "I couldn’t do anything else – I just felt that I needed to do something."
"I wasn't sure what I’m going to do when the war started but I felt I need to help and I can't just sit and do nothing and watch the news."
They’ve both been deeply moved by thank you messages from Ukraine – in the form of a video from soldiers on a snow-covered battleground – and photos of some of the injured and elderly in the wheelchairs they’ve already sent over.
Soldiers in a snowy Ukraine have thanked Kiwis for their donations, saying they will be "very important during the winter". (Source: Supplied)
"It's so sad story all together so unfair to the people of Ukraine," Rodnyanskiy said.
He called those gravely injured on the battlefield "true war heroes".
"They did the right thing. They stepped up to protect their motherland."
They still need financial help to get their latest 12-metre shipping container to Ukraine.
Douglas has more plans to raise money for what he calls a war which "doesn't seem to want to finish".
"We are having our Annual Charity Factory Sale on August 21 – 25 and the two charities we have nominated is the Youth Hub and the Ukrainian Association," he said.
The donations will go towards funding another 12-metre container leaving Lyttelton Port in August.
Rodnyanskiy added: "We will be doing what we can for as long as needed."
A Givealittle page set up to help wounded Ukrainians can be found here.
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