The Friese Rijders Foundation, an organization that has been offering help to the population since the start of the war in Ukraine, is looking for a hundred bicycles and one hundred red-white blind sticks. These tools are urgently needed to support those in need of help in the war zone.
Since the start of the war, the Frisian riders Foundation has taken care of more than 225 truck rides with humanitarian goods to Ukraine. The relief supplies, often packed in banana boxes, are spread among the locals.
The transport of these packages often appears to be a major challenge. Older people in particular cannot wear the 22 kilos of heavy boxes home on foot.
An organization in Ukraine, which coordinates the distribution of the auxiliary packages, has therefore asked for a hundred solid bicycles. According to the foundation, simple bicycles without gears are most suitable, because they last longer and easy to maintain. The bikes will be used in Kharkiv and other heavily affected areas.
In addition to cycling, there is a great need for red-white blind sticks. During a visit from Stichting Friese Rijders to a blind community in Ukraine, it became clear how poignant the situation is.
“Completely devoid of government aid, they live in large groups and try to help each other. Some used a tree branch as a stick because a real blind stick is priceless,” says initiator Arnaud Dijkstra. The foundation now wants to collect a hundred blind sticks to support these people.
People also contribute to the aid actions in Drenthe. There is a collection point located in Nieuweroord, where bicycles and blind sticks can be brought. The foundation hopes for a lot of support from the region to meet the demand.
Those who want to donate a bicycle or blind stick can contact Stichting Friese Rijders via [email protected].