Droitwich man preparing to spend Christmas in liberated Kherson

Martin McCann, 64, will travel to Kherson later this month with the aim of helping as many people as he can.

It is not the first time Mr McCann has ventured to the war-torn country.

In March, he drove 13,600 miles, making 48 border crossings as he helped more than 100 refugees evacuate to Poland and the UK.

“There are too many little stories to tell but the biggest impression I have from my first trip is that of the wonderful Ukrainian and Polish people, and the thousands of volunteers from all over the world,” he said.

“On arrival, I was met by a huge international community of volunteers who were all there for the same reason - to help Ukraine.

“Within days I'd found a Polish humanitarian aid group that let me join their daily convoy from Lviv to Lodyna, Poland, where we evacuated about 50 refugees per day.

“It was wonderful to be part of a team that was so motivated."

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The convoy after returning to the Lodyna refugee station in Poland with around 50 refugees (Image: Martin McCann)

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Mr McCann added: “Although I drove into the east a couple of times, just 50 miles from the Russian border, I didn't feel in danger at any point.

“I heard air raid sirens in Lviv and Dnipro, but that was as exciting as it got for me.

“I met many police and soldiers at the hundreds of checkpoints but once they were satisfied about my identity they were all very welcoming and friendly.”

Martin helping to interpret (Image: Martin McCann)

Mr McCann was motivated to go and help after seeing a Facebook post from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the threat of human trafficking to women and children trying to flee Ukraine.

On his second trip, he is hoping to use his engineering skills to help the residents of Kherson, where Russian occupation led to the destruction of electricity, water and heating infrastructure.

“I'm not nervous about returning,” Mr McCann added.

“I know the ropes now, and I'll only be going to places where the residents go every day, and where the military allow me to because any mines have been cleared. 

“My mind is predominantly occupied with the question, ‘How can I help the most people with my engineering skills?’”

He continued: “I love meeting the Ukrainians themselves.

“It's enormously rewarding when you can engage in conversation with them, even if half of it is in sign language, the other half through google translate.”

Martin (far right) next to mother and son, Elena and Danil, who he evacuated from Dnipro to temporary hosts in Poland. They're now with a host in Hampshire. (Image: Martin McCann)

Mr McCann’s car will be full of tools, generators, humanitarian supplies and Christmas presents.

He hopes to get even more donations before he leaves for Ukraine on December 10.

"I am extremely grateful for the moral and financial support of my friends and supporters, and the DWP in Worcester JobCentre deserve a special mention for being extraordinarily helpful in enabling me to do this unusual voluntary work," said Mr McCann.

To find out more and support the trip, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/urgent-help-for-kherson-residents.