SAINTS' former captain Chris Joynt is driving all the way to the Ukrainian border with Poland once again in an effort to transport more humanitarian aid.

Following on from the successful journey taking aid to the border last month, the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s ‘#liverpool4ukraine’ appeal is set to send four more consignments of much-needed medical supplies and aid to Bishop Gregory Komar in the Diocese of Sambir-Drohobych in the Lviv region. 

This is to be double the amount sent in the first consignment.

There will be a return trip for drivers Chris Joynt and Mike Sharkey, Greenmount managing director.

In March Chris, 50, and former Saints player Dave Lyon were among a group of four to make the journey.

Chris Joynt became Saints' most successful captain by the time he hung up his boots in 2004.

He joined the Knowsley Road club in 1992 from Oldham, and made more than 380 appearances in the red vee.

He helped Saints become the first Super League champions in 1996, and lifted the trophy as captain after Grand Final wins in 1999, 2000 and 2002.

He was also part of Challenge Cup final successes in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2004 and scored in the World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane Broncos in 2001.

Individually, he won the Harry Sunderland award twice, for man-of-the-match displays in the 1993 Premiership final against Wigan at Old Trafford and again in 2000 in a Grand Final triumph over the Warriors.

Joynt also scored Saints' inconic 'Wide to West' try which sealed a last-gasp win at Knowsley Road for Saints in a Super League play-off game against Bradford in 2000.

Chris and Mike Sharkey will be joined this time by four members of staff from the archdiocese, Jill Boggan, Nicky Hegarty, John McMahon and Aaron Kiely for the journey which will take five days, covering 2,800 miles travelling through six countries. 

On arrival at the Polish/Ukrainian border they will meet Bishop Gregory and seminarians from his diocese who will transfer the aid for the onward journey.

The first consignment arrived on Tuesday, March 29.

Mike Sharkey said: "We were able to see at first hand the difference which our aid will make to the innocent people suffering in this conflict. 

"As I kept hearing news of continued attacks on civilians I knew that I had to go back carrying aid and prayerful support from the people of our archdiocese.  It was wonderful for us to meet Bishop Gregory and I’m looking forward to seeing him again to offer what comfort we can."

Following the first two consignments medical aid was transferred to hospitals in Drohobych and Boryslav and some taken further east to the capital Kyiv.  The next two consignments will leave at 6.30 am on Sunday, April 24 and at 6.30 am on Monday, April 25.

Jill Boggan, director of finance for the archdiocese and one of the volunteer drivers added: "I’ve volunteered to go on this trip because I want to do something direct and useful to help people in Ukraine who urgently need the supplies we’re taking to them. 

"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to go on this journey and hopeful that taking the generous donations from across the archdiocese to Bishop Gregory will provide both practical support and comfort that they are not alone."

On Friday, April 22, the vans and trucks were loaded and they departed at 10am at the St Margaret Clitherow Centre in Liverpool. 

A cheque for £12,000 was also presented to the ‘#liverpool4ukraine’ appeal, the money has been raised by Mike Sharkey from charities and organisations in the Wigan area of the archdiocese. 

The total raised for the appeal is currently £101,000.