![\"Simon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/YE12NBH8N0SKLFID5TWQ.jpg\")
Simon Cole-Hamilton.<\/p>\n
A notable businessman and accountant, Simon regards the invasion as an atrocious attack on people who have chosen western freedom and democracy over communism and oppression.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the invasion started I did not know much about Ukraine, but when they did not crumble in the first few days that was incredibly impressive,\u201d he said. \u201cAs the days and months rolled on however it became clear that a huge humanitarian crisis was happening on our doorstep.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially my support did not go much further than donating sleeping bags and blankets. I did not know then that other more direct ways of helping were going to come my way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI then heard about convoys of old 4×4 vehicles<\/a> driving from Scotland to Ukraine, and how this kind of transport could make the difference literally between life and death for civilians and defenders under attack.<\/p>\n \u201cI had seen vehicles of this type being auctioned periodically at Dingwall Mart so putting all this together, and with my Rotary Club’s support, I bought our first vehicle, a Ford Ranger pick-up, for the princely sum of \u00a31500.<\/p>\n \u201cAt first I didn’t personally drive our vehicles to Ukraine – I left that to others. It seemed a big step to go into a country at war.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am glad I took the plunge because it is only by being in the country and meeting people that you understand the real importance of what you are doing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are now numerous reports of these vehicles having saved lives, in fact I had the privilege of meeting a soldier who attributed his life to being rescued by a vehicle from Scotland, and with him was the courageous driver who rescued him while under fire.<\/p>\n \u201cThe latter received a medal from Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for outstanding bravery.<\/p>\n \u201cOn each trip I have made it is hugely satisfying when you physically hand over the keys to the Ukrainians.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the culmination of a the long process which starts in Scotland of raising funds, sourcing and buying a car, checking it out, sorting any mechanical issues, filling it with aid, joining a convoy in Edinburgh, and then driving all the way across Europe until finally you put the vehicle into the hands of the people who need it.<\/p>\n \u201cI have met some inspirational people on my travels, from all walks of life and all across the globe, who all recognise the injustice of this invasion and want to help.<\/p>\n \u201cThe commitment from US citizens is particularly laudable – so many of them are disgusted at what they see as the country’s dereliction of duty to assist the free world.<\/p>\n \u201cOn my trip this February I was told there was someone in Ukraine who wanted to meet me.<\/p>\n \u201cThis turned out to be Michael who, despite serious back injuries suffered in a drone attack, could still drive and indeed he was driving the vehicle I had brought to Ukraine last September.<\/p>\n \u201cHe presented me with a flag which is a sign of deep gratitude in Ukraine. Then, in April, I met Vlad who had lost his left arm in combat but he was able to drive an automatic.<\/p>\n \u201cNo sooner had I given him the keys than he set off that very day to the frontline. These connections are very special.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cTo enable all this to happen there is a sizeable support network behind me both here and in Ukraine. Firstly, I am running this project on behalf of Inverness Rotary Club.<\/p>\n \u201cThey, along with other Rotary clubs in the area and the Inner Wheel club, have been hugely supportive with funding and motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cMany other organisations and individuals have also helped with funding, not least my Community Choir from St Stephen’s Church who gave our largest funding donation to date.<\/p>\n \u201cI have Ian Jacks in Avoch, who checks the vehicles over for me. Highlands for Ukraine and many others donate aid for me to take across.<\/p>\n \u201cThe journeys are organised by Jeeps for Peace and I join their regular convoys from Scotland. Jeeps for Peace have a highly competent team in Ukraine who take all the stress out of the border checks, and shepherd us safely down to the south-west of the country to their warehouse.<\/p>\n \u201cThe handover point is in the town’s main square and here the Mayor will greet us, and there will be TV crews to carry out interviews with us tired, but happy, drivers.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally, we return home in the knowledge that people in danger are being rescued because of what we have done, they are getting to hospitals and medical centres, they are receiving vital supplies and medical aid, and critically lives are being saved.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce home it is not long before I start thinking about buying the next car.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon is the former chief executive of the Inverness Chamber of Commerce, and is chairman of Isobel Fraser Care Home in Inverness. He has no military background and says he feels fortunate to have never been called up for war.<\/p>\n He admits it takes a bit of adjustment when entering and leaving a conflict zone.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile being in a country at war your senses and emotions are all heightened,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone is well aware that Russia launches attacks on civilian targets on almost a daily basis.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there is evidence everywhere of the terrible toll the war is taking on the population. Every town and village you drive through, however small, has buried its war-dead, proudly displayed by the national flags above the graves.<\/p>\n \u201cThe war cemetery in Lviv is overwhelming in its size – a place of grief for families, but also a proud demonstration of their belief in their country.<\/p>\n \u201cOne encounter there that I will never forget was meeting a couple of ladies who were grieving at a graveside. They were happy for me to come over to them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe younger one pointed to herself and said \u2018sister\u2019; then she pointed to the older lady and said \u2018mother\u2019. It was a heartbreaking moment and I was totally lost for words, so I just stretched out my long arms and we had a group hug of solidarity, with tears streaming down our cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201cEncounters like these really bring home to you how appallingly cruel this war is.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery life is so valuable. Meeting and talking to Ukrainian people you cannot help but be inspired by their determination not to be subjugated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they can, and do, feel very alone in defending their country – and by extension Europe – against a military superpower.<\/p>\n \u201cOne evening we received an address from a Ukrainian army chaplain where he simply said: \u2018You remind us that we are not alone\u2019. Well, we must keep reminding them that they are not alone and, as long as bullets, missiles and drones continue to assault them, we have to keep going back.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1X1C0IPSQJD5FPFHE6IN.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
At the Ukraine border.<\/p>\n![\"Handover](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5G3VAXZUH22GXYNB2064.jpg\")
Handover in Ukraine.![\"Handover](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/UXF1LH3VLHTD6W8O8E77.jpg\")
Handover in Ukraine.<\/p>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9S6JAC56M2LOQV7OBFD3.jpg\")
Some local Rotarians alongside one of the vehicles.<\/p>\n