This article was republished for International Women’s Day 2026 to highlight the incredible women of Bylines Network
The Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth has completed a three-day, 1,500 mile trip from her constituency to the Poland-Ukraine border in an ambulance filled with humanitarian aid.
The journey formed part of a long-running charitable initiative by LKQ UK & Ireland, a major employer headquartered in Rachel Taylor MP’s constituency, to deliver, among other essential items, food, blankets and first aid supplies to Ukraine. The MP said she was honoured to have been asked to take part.
Three days on the road to Ukraine
The journey began at LKQ’s headquarters in Birch Coppice Business Park, where the group departed in a convoy of ambulances. The three-day drive included overnight stopovers in Germany and Poland, before reaching the Poland-Ukraine border where the vehicles and supplies were officially handed over to the Ukrainian authorities for onward transport to the Ukrainian frontline. The ambulance driven by Taylor was the 50th to be delivered to Ukraine as part of the initiative.
The trip was not without a few hitches: one of the ambulances broke down on the second day and a traffic jam outside Leipzig meant a delay of three hours, all of which made it a very long day.
They were met at the end of their journey in Poland by friends from Poland and Ukraine. Taylor said she had learnt a lot from the experience: how much these things matter to Ukrainian people when the spotlight on the war has “gone off a bit”.
Taylor found the drive an extraordinary experience
Since joining Parliament, Taylor has become the Chair of the APPG for Freight and Logistics, become a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, and championed LGBTQ+ rights and greater inclusion in sport. She has also launched campaigns to tackle freight crime, improve local bus services in North Warwickshire and Bedworth, and tackle disruption and poor public engagement by HS2. She also secured £20mn from the government to regenerate Bedworth Town Centre.
Speaking at the end of the trip, Taylor said:
I was honoured to be asked to drive one of these ambulances to the Ukrainian border, because it’s one thing to see the generosity and determination in our community, but it’s another to be part of it firsthand. Driving this ambulance has been an extraordinary experience.
Warwickshire company supports the effort
The mission was coordinated by Dawid Kozlowski, Demand Planner at LKQ UK & Ireland, whose tireless commitment has made him a central figure in the company’s humanitarian programme. He said:
The suffering of those in Ukraine continues to be a big issue at the heart of my community, and the support we’ve had from the company to help those in need has made an incredible difference.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kozlowski has overseen the delivery of 51 ambulances, tens-of-thousands-of-pounds-worth of prescription medicine and over 1,000 individually tailored Christmas gifts for Ukrainian children across nine cities. In recognition of his contribution, he was honoured with a Volunteer Award at the 2023 BBC CWR Make a Difference Awards.
He said:
We have always focused on the most practical and immediate needs – medical supplies, vehicles, and support for children. Seeing this latest convoy of ambulances reach the border safely with the help of Rachel Taylor MP is a proud moment for all of us, especially those who donated, volunteered, and supported behind the scenes.
Taylor summed up the successful trip:
The compassion shown by the LKQ team, supported by people across North Warwickshire and Bedworth, is a reminder of the exceptional things our community continue to do to support our Ukrainian friends in their fight for freedom.
After a press release by Rory Evans, Senior Communications Advisor to Rachel Taylor MP.
