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.

Working Together

Since its formation on June 7th, 2023, V-Aid has demonstrated that great things can be achieved with minimal funds, especially when collaborating with like-minded groups and charities. By exchanging experience, resources, and mutual support, we have found that working together toward a shared goal is far more effective than going it alone. This collaboration has allowed us to assess our strengths and weaknesses, fostering growth and enabling our charity to flourish.

In our first year, we have exceeded expectations by embracing partnerships, learning from others’ expertise, and forming strong, lasting bonds.

Rotary and Lions Clubs

Working with these respected organisations across the country and abroad has resulted in exceptional donations of medical supplies and food aid, while forging strong ties for future cooperation.

Veteran Hubs and Veteran Organisations

Collaborating with both large and small veteran-focused groups has allowed us to form valuable new partnerships within the veteran community, highlighting where we can provide the most impact.

UK Charities

Our partnerships with respected UK charities like Pickups for Peace and British Ukrainian Aid to name a few have allowed us to play our part in supplying thousands of vehicles—including ambulances, 4x4s, vans, lorries, and a London bus—to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes. In our most recent convoy, as one of the three organisers, we coordinated a 50-vehicle convoy with the Ukrainian Embassy and Transport for London and the London Mayors Office, delivering aid to Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv.

UK Aid Organisations

Through collaborations with UK-based groups such as Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP), we have helped procure and transport over 3,000 tons of food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid to Ukraine. From premature baby incubators and long-life food rations to generators and specialised animal food, our efforts – alongside our convoys – have made a tangible impact.

International Collaboration

Working alongside our partners Myrnenebo in Ukraine and SHAP, we’ve advanced joint projects and raised concerns in key meetings at the House of Lords, House of Commons, Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, as well as with county administrations in Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. These efforts have led to valuable relationships with decision-makers, strengthening our mission.

Myrnenebo Kharkiv

Partnering with Ukrainian charities has enabled us to help them provide thousands of meals daily and to work on our joint project to produce freeze-dried food parcels for the coming winter, as civilians face another harsh season with limited access to cooking or heating.

HMP Swansea Pilot Project

Collaborating with HMP Swansea, we are launching a pilot project where primarily veteran inmates and staff will assist in producing our emergency food parcels, helping them gain meaningful skills while supporting our mission.

CwtchM and Amazon:

These partnerships allow us to provide hygiene and domestic items for our prison programs, ensuring those we help have access to essential supplies.

Through collaboration and partnerships, we have been able to achieve remarkable results in a short period of time. These relationships have opened new doors, provided invaluable resources, and enabled us to extend help to those in need—while also empowering those we engage to make a difference.