Former England bowler Stuart Meaker has travelled to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees displaced by the Russian invasion.
Meaker, who made four England appearances during his career, drove to Medyka in Poland in his van to deliver supplies and aid to refugees. The 33-year-old retired from cricket last year having struggled with injuries and embarked on the journey after seeing footage of the invasion on the news.
Meaker made the 24-hour solo journey from his home in Surrey, travelling through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany on his way to Poland. "I was the same as everyone else, just sat watching the news and feeling a little bit helpless," Meaker told BBC Radio London .
"I'm currently in a position whereby I'm not fully employed, I have some free time, I have a van. I was desperate to go out and volunteer, and be hands-on.
"It's one thing donating money and not really seeing where that goes, even though that's obviously incredibly helpful and the mainstream organisations will have put a structure in place. I just felt like, all hands on deck, I can go and help out and can see what I can do."
After making the trip, Meaker has now decided to stay in Poland and is working with charities to help refugees with their visa applications. "Since I've got to understand the process, I have to say it's a complete shambles," he further explained in a recent interview with BBC Radio London .
"There's no co-ordination or information for people coming across the border, once they arrive here, that the UK is even a potential destination for them or what they have to do to try and get there. How people can say they're willing to welcome refugees when they are making it as difficult as possible for them at every single point, is disheartening.
"I'm just a cricket player who's spent the majority of his life in that game and knows little else, but I'm learning as I go along out here and just trying to find a way to help. It's been such an eye-opening experience.
"I will stay here until such a point I feel I'm no longer needed. But having also chatted with a lot of other British people I've met since I've been here, who've made similar deliveries, I'm also considering returning to make another trip."
