Australia: As a number of his colleagues descend on Royal Ascot, top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams will be heading to Eastern Europe on a second humanitarian mission for Ukraine – and this time he hopes to deliver it in person.
Together with his Ukrainian-born wife Larysa, Williams will fly to Poland and then plans to drive over the border to hand over another supply of special forces trauma kits to help those caught up in the conflict with Russia.
The couple undertook the same trip in secret in April but went only as far as the border and since returning to Australia there have been more offers of help and money to fund the kits and other vital equipment.
The kits contain essential first aid equipment and by the time 45-year-old Williams has completed his trip over 300 will have been delivered. “These are used for soldiers and civilians in the front line,” he said. “These are life-saving; they are so important.”
Williams has been at the top of his profession for two decades with more than 2,200 winners to his name, including the 2019 Melbourne Cup on Vow And Declare among 68 G1 wins. He won the Dewhurst on Tobougg during a stint in the UK based with Mick Channon.
In order to ensure the equipment they had collected in Australia arrived without delay and ended up in the right hands, the Williamses chose to take it themselves.
This time they will also hand over 100 survival kits, backpacks containing enough for a family of five to survive on for three days, chest decompression needles, protective clothing plus 12 drones.
“We have also been able to secure four vehicles,” added the jockey. “Not only does that get us into Ukraine, it means we can take our stuff where we need it to go as quickly as possible to save lives. The vehicles will then be repurposed as makeshire ambulances.
“Thanks to everyone’s contribution, we will make a difference, we will save lives. We couldn’t do that without everyone’s help.”
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Craig Williams drives to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid for relief effort
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