Our History
Our Story
Our story began when Tony Strutt, CEO/Founder of V-Aid, noticed challenges in two distinct areas. The first was the rapid disaster response, particularly in emergency food provision. The second challenge involved the employment struggles of veterans, who often lacked hope for a stable future. To address these separate issues, V-Aid developed a unique solution by training veterans specifically for emergency food aid provision.
OCtober 2023
V-Aid, in partnership with Rotary, proudly launched the initiative from the headquarters of Thatchers Cider, which is also the base of the Bristol Rotary Club. Two of the four vehicles embarked on a mission, showcasing the power of unity and the global impact of Rotary. The Rotary branches in Bristol, Dartmouth, and Bishop Waltham contributed transportation, resources, and personnel for a voyage to Rotary Lviv, shining a light on Rotary’s ability to intensify aid during moments of crisis.
November 2023
V-Aid explored a partnership with Pickups for Peace, planning to take part in a 60-kilometre drive to Lviv in a convoy of more than 30 vehicles accompanied by blue blinkers. The co-operation is designed to provide a unified and effective response to crises.
This month V-Aid made a crucial expedition with a fleet of four vehicles, one of which was kindly donated by the very generous people of Northern Ireland. Despite difficulties at the Polish-Ukrainian border, our procession, guided by P4P (Pickups for Peace), braved the adversity and made it to Lviv, demonstrating the power of a united effort.
Throughout our journey in November 2023, marked by queues and delays, we were met with warmth and resilience in Ukraine despite challenging weather conditions. Partnering with World Central Kitchens gave our mission even greater significance, underscoring V-Aid’s commitment to helping with compassion. Having fulfilled our mission with dignity, we returned to the UK embodying the spirit of humanitarian co-operation.
December 2023
V-Aid’s involvement at Jack’s Retreat demonstrated interaction with the environment, physical work, and surprising gastronomic pleasures. The experience was not just about manual labor – it involved engaging with the wilderness in the most authentic ways – from lighting fires to crafting cooking utensils directly from trees.
V-Aid Founder, Tony Strutt, visited the Swansea Veterans Centre in January and was impressed by their passion and involvement. V-Aid is now committed to supporting this centre, amongst other things, after seeing first hand the incredible work they do and the support they offer to veterans. I encourage everyone to not just take my word for it, but to visit and see the difference they make for veterans.
January 2024
Under difficult conditions and time constraints, V-Aid took a farmer’s Ford Ranger (the vehicle owner demanded to deliver the vehicle before the maintenance deadline) on a unique assignment and organised a solo convoy of Peace Pickups, delivering essential food to an orphanage in Ternopil, overcoming obstacles associated with extreme climatic conditions.
In January 2024, in conditions of ice and bad weather, overcoming dangerous routes, we helped a family involved in an accident and provided rehabilitation centres in Kiev, demonstrating resilience in the face of difficulties.
Cooperation and philanthropy were in the spotlight this month as V-Aid partnered with REACT Disaster Response and ICMDA. We assembled and delivered incubators to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of working together to make a tangible impact on communities in need.
In January 2024, V-Aid said goodbye to a trusted friend – a Ford Ranger vehicle that has made a significant contribution to humanitarian work in Ukraine. At the owner’s request, the car was handed over to the Lviv Military Administration.
February 5th 2024
On 5 February 2024 V-Aid Charity celebrated the monumental achievement of obtaining officially charity status. This long-awaited recognition, marked by a registration number 1206865, reaffirms V-Aid’s commitment to its mission of providing rapid first aid and community empowerment. This official recognition opens up new opportunities for partnership, support and expanded impact, allowing V-Aid Charity to embark on a new chapter of humanitarian service.
March 2024
Thanks to our trusted connections, we organized a free lorry to Ukraine with a variety of aid, including food, vital medical equipment, incubators, clothing and basic necessities. This effective initiative met critical needs and paved the way for us to provide a lorry on a regular basis.
April 2024
On the 18th and 24th of April V-Aid will travel in 2 separate groups to deliver three humanitarian aid vehicles to our partners in Ukraine. This is made possible thanks to our co-operation with Pickups for Peace, whose convoy we will join, as we have done before.
Upcoming
V-Aid will soon be launching the Veterans in Crisis (V-i-C) campaign, which will distribute emergency food aid to veterans in need across the UK for 3 days. The food aid will be provided within one to two days from application. This campaign will help veterans who are struggling to get food aid due to bureaucratic issues and need help right here and now.
Upcoming
V-Aid is looking to increase its impact by creating an Overseas Responders programme. The programme will include theoretical aspects, including training on “Food Hygiene”, “Evacuation”, “Fire Safety”, etc., and practical aspects, such as team-building in a camp in nature, as well as a trip to an extreme situation zone (Ukraine).
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