A FORMER Pickering schoolboy’s company has helped to support mercy dashes of crucial supplies to Ukraine.

Smart Repairs, the country’s largest independent cosmetic vehicle repairer, was founded by Dan Besau in 1995.

Dan was born, brought up and educated in Pickering, and went to Lady Lumley’s School in the town, where his family still live. He has worked closely with the Leeds Ukrainian Community Centre to provide clothing, food and medical equipment for war-torn Ukraine.

He said: “Like so many people across the UK, I have been horrified and appalled by what is going in in Ukraine. To see the suffering of innocent and helpless Ukranians has been heart-breaking and, as a company, we have been determined to help in any way we can.

“I have been in close contact with Slava Semeniuk at the Ukranian Centre in Leeds, after being introduced by a mutual friend. Slava has been organising trips to Ukraine and we have been both proud and delighted to help.

“Together we have packed two lorries full of supplies, with much-needed non-perishable food, medical supplies and clothing for men, women and children. We know these have arrived safely and have been gratefully received.

“I would like to thank employees and customers of Smart Repairs, notably Leeds car dealership JCT 600, for raising thousands of pounds to pay for these supplies and for the fuel to get to Ukraine. Their generosity has made a real difference.

“We have also been able to store all these supplies at our headquarters in Weaver Street in Leeds, making sure everything was safe and secure before the trips to Ukraine began.

“In these very challenging times, it has been extremely heartening to watch so many countries across the world support Ukraine. We are proud, by doing our own little bit, to have been part of this support.”

Smart Repairs recently bought the 18,000 sq ft freehold premises at Falcon House in Weaver Street, Leeds, where the supplies for Ukraine were stored.