Two aid-laden lorries have set off from east Durham on a mercy mission to the Ukraine.
The GMB union will be embarking on its annual trip to deliver vital supplies to Chernobyl, which is still suffering the effects of nuclear fallout in 1986.
Volunteers will be delivering medical supplies as well as bags of food, clothing, toiletries and other essentials donated by local companies to two orphanages and a school in Minsk, and a hospital in Brest.
They will also be taking fire-fighting equipment donated by Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade.
The trip is being supported by District of Easington Council, City of Sunderland Council, Newcastle City Council, Durham County Council and vehicle hire company Burnt Tree, which has donated vans for the trip.
Organiser of the trip, Terry Scarr from the GMB, said: “This is our sixteenth year of running aid convoys to countries in desperate need of help, and our fifth year to Chernobyl, whose people still live with the legacy of a nuclear disaster.
“We are very grateful for the support we have received over the years, as none of the trips would have been possible without the help of local authorities such as District of Easington Council or local people and businesses donating supplies.”
Chairman of District of Easington Council, Councillor Leo Taylor, said: “The council is fully supporting this venture to help those affected by this terrible disaster, and wish the convoy a safe and successful trip.”
Terry will be accompanied on the trip by Peter Rutherford, refuse driver at District of Easington Council, Billy Cross from City of Sunderland Council and Michael Bater from Newcastle City Council.