Hartlepool firm receives thank you letter from Ukrainian town mayor

A letter signed by the mayor of Yavoriv, a town near Lviv, in Western Ukraine, has arrived in Hogg Global Logistics’ offices in Stranton, Hartlepool, earlier this week.

The company acted as a drop off point for donations in Hartlepool earlier this year, sending a total of 10 trucks with provisions to the war-torn country across a six month period.

The latest truck, packed with warm winter clothes, as well as bandages and tourniquets, reached Lviv last month.

Hogg Global Logistics director Lyndsay Hogg has said reading the letter left her emotional as the firm never expected anything in return for its efforts.

"You’re hoping to help and you never expect to receive anything back,” said Lyndsay.

"We know that’s not just for us, it’s to share with the whole of Hartlepool. I felt quite emotional just to know that it’s gone to where we wanted it to go and it’s been appreciated.”

The letter sends thanks on behalf of people caught up in the war and adds that all received goods have been distributed to those in need.

It ends on a high note, adding: “Your enormous support and solidarity, shows and proves that we are not alone in the fight against the Russian aggressor.“Together we will win!”

Lyndsay said: "It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I wanted to share it far and wide with everyone in Hartlepool because it was a town effort. I wanted it to reach as many people as possible so they can all see that their efforts were appreciated.”

She added: "Everything else that Ukraine have going on at this time and they’ve found the time to thank us, it truly shows how much people have appreciated the efforts of our town.”

News of the letter has spread as far as Dubai after Lyndsay told her brother Kevin Hogg, who lives there, about the kind gesture.

He had helped the mercy mission by driving one of the trucks with donated goods back in March.