The journey will have taken around five days, including fifty hours of driving.
Two men from Leeds have made the journey over to the Polish border to deliver over 1,300 miles to deliver supplies to those crossing from Ukraine.
Phil Knowles and Chris Ritter have been documenting their progress on YouTube from Chapeltown to Poland and back.
Their journey began in West Yorkshire on Monday, where a van from Octopus Building Services in Chapeltown has been loaded with food, medical supplies and clothes, weighing almost two tonnes in total.
There have been multiple updates on YouTube, where the men have expressed their gratitude and asked for further donations to the Go Fund Me: Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal, which has so far raised over £2 million.
The two men drove over 1,300 miles to Leżajsk, which is close to the Ukrainian border.
The journey saw the two dropping off the supplies at a charity warehouse where front-line medics and volunteers helped unpack the donations collected in Leeds.
Loading the van in Huddersfield. / Image: Leeds-Ukraine-Aid
The workers there expressed explained that the donations will be sent straight to the border, where staff there will use the food, medical supplies and clothes to offer to Ukrainian refugees before the move away from the border point and on to nearby towns and cities.
Supplies most in need at the moment are those that will bring warmth: it gets well below freezing at night so it's essential that there's enough to keep the volunteers and refugees warm and fed.
Heat warmers, blankets, nursing blankets and medical supplies, especially for blisters, colds, split ankles are all in needed the most, according to staff in Leżajsk.
In the most recent update from the pair, they told viewers that the experience has been "humbling" saying:
"I think we have the easiest job here, driving for twenty four hours [...] I feel as though we have seen a small window into a huge operation here".
Elsewhere, over £100 million to help refugees fleeing Ukraine as part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a government-backed fundraising appeal launched by a group of 15 UK charities. These charities have clubbed together to provide aid to those fleeing their home country.
Warehouses are filling with the emergency supplies. / Image: Go Fund Me
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Sophie Smith -
9th March 2022 
