A fleet of ambulances donated by LKQ UK & Ireland has successfully arrived at the Ukraine border, following a four-day humanitarian mission that saw a convoy of volunteers – including North Warwickshire and Bedworth MP Rachel Taylor – travel over 1,300 miles to deliver lifesaving vehicles.
The donation marks the latest milestone in LKQ’s aid campaign for Ukraine, which has now seen the UK’s largest automotive parts distributor deliver more than 300 tonnes of supplies since the outbreak of war in 2022.
The journey began at LKQ’s headquarters in Birch Coppice Business Park, Tamworth, situated in Rachel Taylor MP’s constituency, where the group departed in a convoy of three ambulances. The four-day drive included overnight stopovers in Dortmund, Wroclaw and Krakow before reaching the Poland-Ukraine border, where the vehicles were officially handed over to Ukrainian authorities.
Among the volunteer drivers was Rachel Taylor MP, who took the wheel of one of the ambulances herself. The Labour MP, who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight and Logistics, previously visited LKQ’s logistics facility in her constituency and expressed strong admiration for the team’s ongoing efforts.
Speaking after the handover, Rachel Taylor MP 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. 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.”
A mission driven by one man’s passion
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.
Since the conflict began, Dawid has overseen the delivery of 51 ambulances, tens-of-thousands-of-pounds-worth of prescription medicine, and over 1,000 individually tailored Christmas gifts to Ukrainian children across nine cities – each one specifically purchased in response to a request from an individual child. He has also co-ordinated the delivery of over 3,500 Easter eggs, sponsored five summer camps for orphans, and even funded life-changing eye surgery for a 14-year-old boy named Ignat.
Dawid was recognised with a Volunteer Award at the 2023 BBC CWR Make a Difference Awards. He was also named a Warwickshire Changemaker 2025 and granted the honorary title of Free Man of the Warwick District.
Originally from Poland, Dawid has lived in the UK for a number of years and plays an active role in the Polish community in Leamington Spa. Through his long-standing relationship with the Sisters of the Congregation of St Joseph in Ukraine, Dawid has ensured that aid reaches the communities and front-line responders who need it most.
Dawid Kozlowski, LKQ, 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.
“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.”
Dawid’s efforts were previously recognised by a delegation from the Embassy of Ukraine joined Sarah Edwards MP and Rachel Taylor MP at LKQ UK & Ireland’s Tamworth headquarters in October last year.
The business is part of the LKQ Corporation, a Fortune 500 company which is the world’s largest auto parts provider. LKQ UK & Ireland employs more than 9,000 people and has a network of 270+ branches. It’s a leading distributor of parts and accessories for all makes of car via LKQ Euro Car Parts – with other LKQ UK businesses LKQ Bodyshop, LKQ Leisure and Marine and Digraph together supplying parts for motorbikes, light commercial vehicles, HGV, bus and coach, and static and touring caravans, motorhomes and marine vehicles.
LKQ’s wider community work spans both global relief and local impact. The company supports education and employment initiatives across Tamworth and North Warwickshire, including internship programmes and school outreach through its Future Talent Ambassadors. It also champions diversity through its participation in the Automotive 30% Club and is working towards reducing environmental impact by transitioning its delivery fleet to low-carbon HVO fuel.
With the latest convoy delivered, LKQ has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Ukrainian relief efforts, and plans for further humanitarian missions are already in discussion.
