In July Financial Planners Phil Billingham, Shannon Currie and David and Gail Crozier will drive 1,318 miles over three days across Europe to deliver an evacuation vehicle destined for work on the Ukrainian frontlines.

The drive will be their latest effort as part of a long-running campaign to raise money and support the people of war-torn Ukraine and refugees in neighbouring Moldova.

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, with many killed, since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

Phil Billingham, who also writes a regular column for Financial Planning Today, said: “The urgent need for international support in Ukraine is ongoing. The war is in its fourth year. The future of Ukraine’s survival hangs in the balance. The Ukrainians need more vehicles, aid, and support from volunteers than ever before.

“We have volunteered to support the Driving Ukraine team and make the delivery happen, and we now need your support to purchase and deliver this vehicle.”

He said that £6,000 will buy, convert and transport the vehicle to where it can be of value. If the volunteers raise more than £6,000 they will buy a drone jamming device to prevent the vehicle being destroyed by FPV drones.

They hope that other Financial Planners will support their efforts.

Mr Billingham said: “We pay for our own travel and accommodation costs throughout. Every penny you generously contribute will go towards purchasing a vehicle or drone-jamming devices.”

The devices block the frequencies drones rely on to operate, preventing them from targeting vehicles. The technology safeguards drivers, passengers, and any wounded soldiers being transported.

July’s drive will be just the latest in a long-line of activities the Planners and other volunteers have undertaken to help the victims in Ukraine, where since the conflict started in 2022, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and 4m Ukrainians have lost their homes.

March 2022 – they took a van loaded with supplies to Przemyśl, Poland

April 2022 – a drive from Belfast to Kraków with more supplies

May 2022 – a visit toi Chișinău, Moldova, making contact with aid charities & NGOs there

September 2022 – return to Chișinău, where the volunteers buy a bus for transporting aid & refugees

February 2023 – the Rock for Ukraine event took total aid raised by UK financial services to more than £100k

March 2023 – a fortnight in Chișinău, helping to man a refugee centre

July 2023 – supply water filters and purification tablets in the wake of the Kakhova dam breach

October 2023 – return to Chișinău, more aid deliveries, travel to Odesa in Ukraine to make contact with agencies there

April 2024 – a return to the refugee centre in Chișinău

October 2024 – drive a vehicle with Aid to Ukrainian border

The Rock for Ukraine charity gig in 2023 raised more than £50,000

David Crozier said: "We have met so many amazing people over the last three years. In Poland, in Romania, in Moldova, in Ukraine itself. Not to mention our friends and colleagues in the UK and around the world, who have supported our efforts financially and in other ways.

"It's easier to stop than carry on. But if we stop supporting them, in whatever we can, the aggressor wins. And what would that say about us as humans?"

A few weeks before their next trip, the Planners have so far raised around £4,500, some £1,500 short of their £6,000 total.

Phil Billingham said: “By contributing to this cause, you will help save lives and ensure critical vehicles remain operational in challenging conditions. Every donation makes a difference!”

Donations can be made here https://donorbox.org/phildavidukraine

Donations over £1,000 from the UK are Gift Aid-eligible through charity partner Nadiya, meaning an additional 25% is added to the total donation.

Phil Billingham contact details: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Shannon Currie works at Perceptive Planning, David Crozier at Navigator Financial Planning and Financial Planning Today columnist Phil Billingham at Perceptive Planning.