July 21st 2024.
Tom Hughes never could have imagined that a seemingly simple three-hour flight to the border to offer assistance would turn into a two and a half year journey. It all started in 2022, when the war in Ukraine broke out and Tom, like many others, was horrified by the footage he saw on the news. Without a second thought, he dropped everything and hopped on a budget flight to Poland, determined to do whatever he could to help. "I figured, it's only a £30 flight on RyanAir and it'll only take me three hours to get there. So I'll just pop down to the border," Tom, who hails from Hinton in Wiltshire, recalls.
Little did he know that this impromptu decision would lead him down a path filled with heartache, danger, and a deep impact on his mental well-being. As the head of field operations for the charity HopeFull, Tom has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of war on the people of Ukraine. But he has also been able to bring a glimmer of hope and joy to the lives of those affected, serving hundreds of thousands of pizzas to the cold, hungry, and desperate citizens of the country. Tom, who is 43 years old, has become an ultimate hype man, often sporting a kilt in the colors of Ukraine, alongside his team of fearless volunteers as they travel through the besieged nation, determined to spread some much-needed happiness and nourishment.
Their journey takes them to various places, from barracks to villages and towns, all across Ukraine, where they bring not just hot meals but also booming music, colorful face paint, and a festive atmosphere to communities that have been torn apart by war. "Out here on the eastern end, there's very little help going on, and people are relatively isolated," explains Tom, who is currently speaking to us from a village 20 miles east of Kharkiv. "Most of the villages and towns are living under the constant threat of missiles, the schools are all closed because they don't have bomb shelters, and the kids are deeply unsocialized. It's heartbreaking to see how broken down these communities are."
But Tom and his team have found a way to bring back a sense of community and joy to these war-torn areas. "It's been really effective to turn up with a whole load of hot pizzas, which are considered a luxury here, and blasting music through our speakers, dancing around and acting like fools to reinvigorate the essence of community," shares Tom. "It's something that's hard to understand until you've seen how desperate people are here. Just the sight of Westerners willing to come and help under the same skies, with the same bombs, brings a sense of hope to these people."
Tom's team has become experts at delivering pizzas, serving around 3,500 of them each day. They have two traveling units, one that serves the communities behind the frontlines, and another in the quieter, more peaceful city of Lviv. But their success has come with its fair share of challenges. "In the beginning, it was very intense because we were going into towns that had been occupied and heavily abused," Tom recalls. "The Russians had scattered landmines everywhere when they left, so we would often hear people getting blown up. These towns had no water, electricity, or food, making them very scary places to enter. The population was starving and devastated."
Their mission was further complicated by the constant threat of missiles and landmines. "It was a very intense time until the liberation of Kherson in October and November of 22. We went into the city just as the Russians were crossing the Dnipro River in their retreat," shares Tom. "As we arrived, they started their revenge bombardment of the city, and that was the first time we experienced being shelled by artillery." The experience was absolutely terrifying for Tom and his team. "We had just finished our fifth day in the city, and it had been very loud all day. We packed up quickly and were driving out when a set of shells came in around our convoy. The explosions started behind us, and the last one landed about 50 yards ahead of me to the right. I just hit the gas and drove as fast as I could. Looking back, I know now that if targeted, you should stop and throw yourself to the ground away from the vehicle, as the vehicle is the target. But in the heat of the moment, I just put my foot down. Luckily, no one was hurt."
After this terrifying incident, Tom made the decision to keep their trucks at a safe distance of 25km from the Russian guns to ensure the safety of his volunteers. However, this was just one of the many challenges they faced on a daily basis. "Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, but it wasn't until 2022 that they launched a full-scale invasion," shares Tom. "It's been a constant battle for us to navigate through this dangerous territory, with the looming threat of missiles and landmines always on our minds."
Despite the challenges, Tom and his team have remained dedicated to their mission, bringing hope, joy, and nourishment to the people of Ukraine in their time of need. Their journey may have started as a simple three-hour flight, but it has turned into a life-changing experience for Tom and the countless Ukrainians whose lives they have touched.
Tom Hughes was just an ordinary man living in Hinton, Wiltshire, when the war in Ukraine broke out in 2022. Like most people, he was appalled by the news and wanted to do something to help. So, on a whim, he decided to take a cheap flight to Poland, thinking it would only take three hours to get there. Little did he know, this decision would change his life for the next two and a half years.
Tom had originally planned to only stay for a few days to assist with the aid effort in eastern Europe. But as he arrived and saw the devastation caused by the war, he knew he couldn't just leave. He quickly got involved with the charity HopeFull and became their head of field operations. Since then, he has witnessed traumatic events, put his own life in danger, and seen the toll it takes on his mental health. But he also found purpose and fulfillment in serving the cold, hungry, and desperate Ukrainians.
As the ultimate hype man, Tom and his team of volunteers travel through the war-torn nation, bringing joy and nourishment wherever they go. Their visits to barracks, villages, and towns are like a breath of fresh air in a place where fear and despair have taken over. They bring hot pizzas, loud music, and vibrant face paint, creating a party atmosphere and reviving the essence of community. It's hard for Tom to fully comprehend the level of desperation until he sees it firsthand. But knowing that his presence and the help of other Westerners can bring some hope to these people makes it all worth it.
Tom's teams serve around 3,500 pizzas a day, split between two units. The Eastern team focuses on the communities behind the frontlines, while the Western team is based in a quieter and more peaceful area. This system was developed through trial and error, as the beginning was intense and dangerous. Going into towns that had been occupied and heavily abused by the Russians was a frightening experience. The constant threat of missiles and landmines made their mission almost impossible. But Tom and his team persevered, even when they were shelled by the enemy.
One of the most terrifying experiences for Tom was when they were shelled by artillery in Kherson. They had just finished their fifth day in the city when the Russians started their revenge bombardment. As they were leaving, shells started to come in around their convoy. Tom drove as fast as he could, knowing that the vehicle was the target. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a wake-up call for Tom. He decided to keep the trucks 25km back from the Russian guns to ensure the safety of his volunteers.
Tom's work in Ukraine is far from over, as the war continues to rage on. But he remains committed to bringing aid and hope to the devastated communities. He knows that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference in the face of such destruction and loss. Russia may have invaded Ukraine in 2014, but Tom and his team are determined to do their part in helping the country recover and heal.
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