A 19-year-old University of St Andrews student from Santa Monica completed a 1,300-mile journey across Europe in October to deliver an evacuation vehicle to Ukrainian first responders, capping off a months-long fundraising campaign that saw him run daily 5K races to raise money for the cause.
Brody Wilkes, a Santa Monica High School graduate now studying history in Scotland, completed his journey on Oct. 23 as part of a convoy organized by Driving Ukraine, an organization that leads monthly convoys of volunteers to deliver medical aid and vehicles to Ukrainian forces.
"I have been passionate about history and politics my entire life, and since the day Ukraine was invaded, I knew I wanted to get involved," Wilkes said. "When I had become committed to going to school in Scotland, I knew I would be in a unique position to help."
Wilkes raised £3,322.86 from 65 donors through a grassroots campaign that included running 35 consecutive 5K races to demonstrate his commitment and drive social media engagement. The Santa Monica native launched his fundraising efforts on Instagram on September 18 after months of planning.
The vehicle he delivered — a red 2013 Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck — will be used by Ukraine's 117th Heavy Mechanized Brigade in the Donbas region for transporting supplies, personnel and evacuating casualties from frontline positions.
"The vehicles most commonly sent to Ukraine are Toyota Hiluxes, Mitsubishi L200s, and Toyota Landcruisers," Wilkes explained. "These models are renowned for their adaptability, ruggedness, and easiness to repair. They perform a wide variety of functions as needed by the Ukrainians."
The three-day journey began in Oxfordshire, England, with the convoy traveling through Dover to cross the English Channel, then driving through Germany and Poland before reaching Lviv, Ukraine. The group spent more than three hours waiting to cross the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Wilkes said he was struck by the urgency with which Ukrainian forces operate and their gratitude for the assistance. Shortly after the convoy arrived at a workshop in Lviv, Ukrainian soldiers immediately took possession of one of the vehicles.
"They didn't have the time to strip off its stickers, not wait for it to be painted," Wilkes said. "The need for these vehicles is really that pressing."
The young humanitarian was particularly moved by his interactions with Ukrainian service members, including a soldier who called him "brave" upon learning his age.
"I found it shocking, because he is the one who is truly out there risking his life to defend his family and country," Wilkes said. "It just speaks to the incredible spirit of the Ukrainian people."
Among the Ukrainians he met was a medical doctor working as a frontline medic who received a Toyota Land Cruiser from the convoy. Just two days after taking possession of the vehicle, the group received photos showing her already back in operation in the Kharkiv region.
Wilkes said the experience taught him about the life-saving impact of British-made vehicles, as Russian snipers typically aim for the left side of vehicles. Volunteers shared stories of Ukrainian soldiers who had received vehicles from Driving Ukraine and survived sniper attacks that sent bullets through the passenger-side headrest.
The mission proved to be a transformative experience for the teenager, who bonded with volunteers decades older than himself during the multi-day journey.
"The convoy really levels the playing field among the volunteers," Wilkes said. "I truly became friends with people decades older than me, sharing laughs, beers and memories."
Many of the volunteers were returning for their second, third, fourth or even fifth convoy mission with the organization, which Wilkes discovered through Instagram videos that appeared in his social media feed.
The planning process began in earnest last summer when Wilkes told his family about his intentions. After initially sitting his parents down in mid-August with printed information packets to address their concerns, he received their support for the mission.
"I think it's because they knew how strongly I felt about Ukraine and everything, and also because, going to school over 5,000 miles away from home, they knew they couldn't stop me!" Wilkes said.
Inspired by the impact of his first mission, Wilkes is already planning a return trip to Ukraine in January — this time accompanied by his father.
"This trip has opened my eyes to the urgency by which these trucks are needed, and just how big the impact they have has proved to be," he said.
For other young people looking to make a difference in causes they care about, Wilkes offered direct advice.
"It is one thing to say what your beliefs are, but it's about time we started standing by them," he said. "The way to do that is to get involved, get involved in any capacity you're able."
He encouraged potential supporters to consider fundraising efforts, noting that organizations like Driving Ukraine need funds to acquire vehicles, medical supplies and other life-saving equipment.
"Send out some emails, start your own fundraising campaign, do daily 5Ks, start a bake sale, put up posters, do anything you can," Wilkes advised. "Remember the reasons you want to help in first place, and that will provide all the motivation you need."
The January convoy will reunite Wilkes with volunteers he now considers lifelong friends while continuing his personal mission to support Ukrainian defense efforts through direct humanitarian action.