He had planned to hike in Spain during his holidays, but the war in Ukraine and its unbearable images changed everything. Vincent Mesnager is one of the managers of Transports Mesnager in Javron-les-Chapelles. He is preparing to leave behind the wheel of one of his heavy goods vehicles to convey humanitarian material, to Poland or Romania. The precise route remains to be defined, with the Civil Protection of Mayenne in particular.
Vincent Mesnager is in any case a man determined to offer his services, to help the Ukrainian people on his scale. “No, I didn’t hesitate long. I’ve even been slowed down a bit, but there’s nothing to be done“smiles the 56-year-old Mayenne. “This country fascinates me. The people there are fighting against a monster. I want to go help them“continues the business manager who will leave with a Breton friend, a former army and ex-truck driver.
“This country fascinates me. The people there are fighting against a monster” explains the transporter from Javron-les-Chapelles
A trip that has a financial cost, even if some questions remain unanswered. “The a priori tolls are free for all humanitarian convoys. I asked the Civil Protection how things were going in terms of fuel. I’m waiting for their response. Afterwards, if I have to pay, I’ll do it, and we’ll see then to be reimbursed via donations for example“.
An entry into Ukraine as well?
A conversation with a Ukrainian client also made him decide to get involved. “She is a woman whose family is stuck in southern Ukraine near Odessa. At the moment, she has a lot of worries to hear from them.“continues Vincent Mesnager. The latter also plans to enter Ukrainian territory. As a former volunteer firefighter, this resident of North Mayenne would see himself participating in rescue operations (like the Catastrophe Relief Group French already gone there).