Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid

SEPTEMBER 2002 CONVOY TO MOLDOVA

KATIE’S STORY

September 11th, typical Scottish weather as we left Glasgow for the international ferry port at Newcastle, our journey had begun, what lay ahead I had no idea. I only knew that in a country called Moldova there were families and orphans in need of the goods that we carried.

At Newcastle we met all the other drivers, sixteen in all from the 4 parts of the country, some were old friends, others like me, meeting for the first time.

Parcel Force, Royal Mail and B.T had generously donated the vehicles, fuel cards and allowed the volunteer drivers time away from their work to make this Humanitarian trip possible. D.F.D.S Tor Line, gave us generous discounts on our ferry bookings. Steve Mercer at M.D.M, Hull along with the customs at the docks provided us with our “T” forms. It was a majestic sight; all these vehicles parked on the dockside, the Major of North Tyneside & Wear along with the local press wished us good luck with our endeavour and a safe journey.

At last the ferry pulled away from the dock, we arrived the following morning in Ijmuiden, near Amsterdam. The early morning sun greeted us and warmed our spirits as we headed towards Germany, the first of many borders that we had to cross on our travels. Just where we stopped in Germany that night I do not remember and as this was my first experience of “convoy” I did not know what to expect. I soon discovered a sense of humour, which in the days to come would hold us together as one. Imagine sitting in the middle of a truck park eating your dinner from your lap, when one of the drivers produces a table and chairs, the table resplendent with a vase of flowers, it was just wonderful and provided us with something to laugh about.
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