A father from Hemel Hempstead has travelled to Poland to provide first-hand support to Ukrainian Refugees, thanks to the generous donations of the local community.
Jack Boreham, who owns local removal company Boreham Boxes, raised more than £1,000 to fund a trip to Poland, where he plans to transport as many refugees as possible from the camp they are currently at, to safe points across Europe.
Jack spoke to HemelNews whilst travelling to Poland by ferry. He explained: “The decision was made when it really got to me watching the news daily. All the women and children fleeing really broke my heart.
“I looked at my children and thought ‘I’d give my life for somebody to help them in this situation’. Everybody kept saying how sad it was but how it ‘wasn’t their problem’. So, I thought, I can make a difference and personally help!”
The Hemel Hempstead father said the community support has been brilliant, from words of encouragement, support from local shops and people running raffles to raise money.
He added: “It was very satisfying hitting my target, as this is what has made my trip possible and I am overwhelmed with the donations everybody has made. It really goes to show what a community can do when they pull together.
“The money is mainly for fuel to be covered. I have paid for the crossing, vehicles, etc myself. But respectfully it is a lot of fuel there and back and once there while transporting people. I really wish I was in a position to fund everything myself, but I wasn’t, which made the funding so vital.”
Jack said that although his family were worried, they have supported him every step of the way.
“They knew how strongly I felt about it and didn’t try to hold me back. My wife Kirsty has been nothing but supportive.
“I told my eldest son Tommy, 9 what I was doing. He was scared but I tried explaining that the people needed help and if it was you and mummy you would want somebody to help you. My two youngest, Riley, 5 and Freddie, 3 don’t really understand too much.
“There was just something telling me I had to go and help. I am lucky enough to be in a position where I can go and have my business run by my father-in-law, so I made the decision and got the plans in place.”
Jack added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Utopia Signs in Apsey for arranging the stickers for my vehicle free of charge at such late notice! Also to UK Static Holidays for donating over a third of my funds that were needed!”
Jack is working alongside Humanitarian aid, based at Polish Refugee camps. He arrived in Poland on March 18.
To donate to his fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jack-boreham-2
To keep up to date with the latest on Jack’s journey, search ‘Boreham Boxes’ on Facebook.
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