8:27 am, February 13, 2025
It may have been almost three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but the motor trade is still doing its bit to help those in the war torn country.
Ever since the outbreak of war, British car dealers have showcased their generosity with donations of vehicles and supplies to the front line.
Among the firms to step up in a huge way has been Humphries and Parks, which represents KGM and Suzuki from it showroom in Kent.
Led by boss Marcus Joy, the outfit has been sourcing trucks and other heavy duty 4x4s to assist in the war effort.
The retailer has extended its trade network and auction access to charity Car4Ukraine and has also been supplying the operation with vehicles it has taken in as part exchanges and bought locally.
The first consignment of vehicles of 2025 headed for Ukraine on January 19, with shipments set to continue throughout the year.
Car4Ukraine says that staff at Humphries and Parks have ‘thrown themselves behind us’ as it thanked them for their input.
The charity’s UK representative, Richard Lofthouse said: ‘Marcus and his sons Bruno, Sam and Soren have been extremely generous and efficient in offering us workshop facilities at cost price.
‘Soren even drove one of the vehicles right out to Medyca, on the border with Ukraine in Poland. They have really thrown themselves behind us.’
Joy first met officials from Car4Ukraine at the Kent County Show back in 2023 and he subsequently offered Ukrainian and British charities a ‘hub’ to store vehicles before their transport to Ukraine, whether by volunteer driver or in a Polish lorry.
That arrangement worked well, with dozens of pick-up trucks and SUVs and donated cars finding their way to the family-run group’s West Malling site.
The firm has now stepped up its efforts and the charity remains incredibly grateful for its efforts.
Ivan Oleksii, who represents the group in Ukraine, said: ‘The election of Trump might lead you to think that ordinary people would have given up or forgotten our cause, having been illegally invaded by Russia in February 2022, three years ago, yet the opposite is true.
‘We raised a lot of money over Christmas with the help of several prominent influencers and podcasters, and we turn to the UK to buy vehicles because the prices still remain lower than in mainland Europe.
‘We continue to experience strong support from Britons.’
Car Dealer previously spoke to Oleksii in an exclusive interview back in December 2022. At the time he was spearheading a campaign to secure ULEZ non-compliant vehicles for Ukraine.
The drive eventually forced London mayor, Sadiq Khan into a policy U-turn, leading to more than 600 vehicles being sent to Ukraine.
Speaking about which cars are best suited to the demands, Lofthouse says that Mitsubishi L200s and Toyota Hiluxes, typically with less than 130,000 miles on the clock, are exactly what they are looking for.
He added that ideal vehicles will be in the £3,000 to £3,500 price bracket and on 09 to 13 plates.
Overall, it is thought that tens of thousands of vehicles have gone from the UK to Ukraine in the past three years, largely through volunteer groups such as Car4Ukraine.
