A COUNTY Durham village community has rallied around three Ukrainian truckers after the HGV drivers became stuck on an industrial estate with no hope of getting back to their war-torn country.

On Saturday (February 26), Langley Moor postman, Jim Clark, was carrying out his routine delivery route when he first noticed one HGV parked up with Ukrainian numberplates and the Ukraine flag emblazoned on the side.

After first passing it off as a ‘coincidence’, two more wagons arrived at the small County Durham estate by Sunday (February 27) – which prompted Mr Clark to approach the trucks to see if he could help in any way.

Read more: This County Durham business man is travelling to Ukraine to help the war torn country

It was then that he was told that these Ukrainian nationals were stuck in the UK and their families were still in a war zone.

Recalling the story to The Northern Echo, Mr Clark said: “They just wanted to find somewhere to park and feel safe. These poor people had been told to sit tight in the UK until the situation had calmed down in Ukraine, but they just wanted to head home and help their family and their country.

“The translation was a tough part because I don’t speak Ukrainian and they didn’t speak much English, but we managed to get by, and we got them help.

The Northern Echo: Jim Clark, the Durham postman who first discovered the Ukrainian HGV drivers. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Jim Clark, the Durham postman who first discovered the Ukrainian HGV drivers. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“I knew I had to get them help – I wouldn’t have felt right if not.”

Initially, after searching around to try and find some help for the ‘trapped’ drivers, Mr Clark found assistance in the form of his friend, Stephen Bromley, who owns the Littleburn Café on the Langley Moor industrial estate.

Giving them meals, Mr Bromley let the three Ukrainian men spend as long as they wanted at his café, before starting a social media campaign to search for any more help, which went “mad from the start”.

The Northern Echo: Stephen Bromley, owner of Littleburn Café at Langley Moor Industrial Estate. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT. Stephen Bromley, owner of Littleburn Café at Langley Moor Industrial Estate. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

From offers of food, money, clothes, accommodation, and even haircuts, the community in Langley Moor came together to help the truckers, which also saw a port aloo get delivered, Cllr Priscilla Elmer from the parish council get involved, and local company, JKL, offering to house their HGVs.  

Mr Bromley said: “As soon as I met the truck drivers, they were very shy people and didn’t want a massive fuss.

“People have massive hearts, and I didn’t realise the community spirit was strong in Langley Moor, but this has restored my faith in humanity.

“Despite the offers of accommodation, food and wads of cash coming at them, they only wanted to stay in their cabs and didn’t want to trouble people too much.

The Northern Echo: Jim Clarke (left) and Stephen Bromley (right) have helped the Ukrainians since they first arrived in the UK. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Jim Clarke (left) and Stephen Bromley (right) have helped the Ukrainians since they first arrived in the UK. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“I think the Ukraine conflict has hit a nerve with people and communities want to help in any way possible.”

After staying two days on the industrial estate, two of the Ukrainian HGV drivers have since left County Durham and travelled on to Poland, where their family have managed to flee to.

However, for the remaining driver, Anatolii, he must remain in the UK for now, due to his family still ‘sieged’ in Ukraine and having no visible resolution to get home.

The Northern Echo: Truck driver,. Anatolii, is still stranded at JKL in Langley Moor, County Durham. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Truck driver,. Anatolii, is still stranded at JKL in Langley Moor, County Durham. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: Anatolii has chosen to stay in his HGV cab instead of the accommodation he has been offered at Langley Moor. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT. Anatolii has chosen to stay in his HGV cab instead of the accommodation he has been offered at Langley Moor. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Speaking to Anatolii today (March 1), he told The Northern Echo: “I can’t get home at the moment – I just want to make it back to my family, but I don’t know how long it will take until that happens.

“I haven’t been told anything.

“I am grateful to the people here, they have helped with food and clothes, and I’m forever grateful to them.”

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