An inspirational dad has driven a lorry-load of essential supplies to Moldova for desperate Ukrainian refugees, after helping to collect the vital aid.

Acutely aware of the devastating circumstances facing displaced Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country, Martin Walsh and his wife Rachael, who own Hexton removals company Three Counties Moves, were desperate to do something to help.

They came up with the idea of driving one of their removal lorries to Moldova, which borders Ukraine and has so far taken in more than 400,000 Ukrainian refugees, according to the United Nations.

The small family-run business set about asking the local community for support, setting up a Go Fund Me page which went on to raise £5,710 to help pay for the logistical costs of the project, including customs paperwork, tolls and fuel.

Martin said: "We had the privilege of offering a very large lorry and driver - me - to get the essentials out to Moldova, but the cost for delivering these goods [and driving] 3,800 miles in total were huge.

"This was something we just couldn't afford to do. As much as we would have loved to be able to pay for everything to get these goods to Moldova, in reality, we are only a small company with very limited funds.

"The local community gathered vital essentials to send out.

"Moldova has received very small amounts of aid, yet a large amount of Ukrainians have fled to this country who desperately need this lorry-load."

Martin and his companion Ray Sayer took five days to reach Moldova from the UK. Rachael explained that they had "a few setbacks, with a tyre that had blown, costing them 10 hours, and having to sit in customs for hours to get cleared into the country".

She said: "We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who worked day and night putting together the aid to be delivered. You should all be so proud of your hard work in making this happen.

"Helping others in need is not a responsibility of life, it is what gives meaning to life."

Those who supported the project include Central Beds Ukraine Appeal, The Crown pub in Shillington, The Need Project in Stotfold, The Chequers pub in Westoning and Kinaxia Logistics.