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52 Phonebox Magazine | May 2025OLNEY UKRAINE AID NEWSSteve Senior is a volunteer working independently and with BAMK in Milton Keynes and recently returned from Ukraine. He is frequently asked %u201cWhy do you help Ukraine? These are Steve%u2019s thoughts.I was brought up believing that if you can help someone in need, then do so. It is the decent thing to do. I also believe that you should stand up to bullies who pick on people weaker than themselves.I was also in the UK military during the cold war era, when Putin was a KGB foreign intelligence offi cer based in East Germany. At that time war with Russia was a very real possibility. Since becoming President of Russia, Putin has stated his desire to reclaim all the territories of the former Soviet Empire, which goes way beyond Ukraine.Before this current war stated on 24th February 2022, I had a few friends in Ukraine. Friends I had never met, but through social media we shared common interests and hobbies in the fi eld of historical re-enactment. When this war started, I was naturally concerned for their safety, and off ered three women and three children safe sanctuary at my house.Also, knowing the British people, I looked locally for a donation or collection point supporting Ukraine, where I could donate some military clothing and equipment I had stored in my loft since leaving the military.This is when, on 1st March 2022, I came across Help Ukraine BAMK UK, a group started by local Ukrainians, operating from a unit in Blakelands. I went to them on that day and donated my military kit, and, seeing Ukrainian women surrounded by a pile of donations, I off ered to help sort and pack, and have been with them ever since.From those early days, working with local Ukrainians, and the increasing numbers of refugees coming to Milton Keynes under the Family & Friends and the Homes for Ukraine Schemes, hearing their stories and watching the extensive media coverage broadcast in that fi rst year, my outrage at what Russia was doing, and my desire to help Ukraine, increased every day.My friends in Ukraine never came to the UK, but I was delighted to off er my home to a refugee family who are still there now, almost three years later.When we started driving our own van loads of aid to Ukraine, I wanted to be involved, and fi nally got my chance in August 2022. Working with BAMK, and as an independent, I have been to Ukraine eight times, returning from my last trip in March. I now make extended trips to Ukraine, staying after the aid has been delivered and using the time to visit charitable foundations, children%u2019s homes and centres, civilian and military hospitals, volunteer groups, church groups, NGOs, military and security units and ordinary people on the streets, in cafes, bars and hotels, and speaking with them about their hopes, fears, opinions and needs.I have been in Ukraine when air alarms sound and the sky is full of streaks and fl ashes of Russian drones and missiles and Ukrainian air defences, and bits and pieces of intercepted drones have fallen close to my location.The people of Ukraine live with this on a daily basis, and for the most part, there is nothing they can do to protect themselves. These attacks either come at night, when they are asleep in their beds, or during the day, when there is not enough time to reach shelter before a missile lands.Everywhere in Ukraine people are stoic and resolute in the defence of their country and their resistance to Russian aggression. Internal refugees are everywhere, living in church halls, community centres and apartment block basements, and the stories of destruction, horror and atrocities they bring with them are too painful to repeat here, and I have heard many of them.Everywhere you go in Ukraine, and everyone you speak to, the need for all kinds of aid is desperately needed, requested and very much appreciated. I will continue to support Ukraine for as long as the need is there, without asking or expecting anything in return.I urge everyone to do what you can to support Ukraine.