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'I risked my life in Ukraine, but it was worth it'

Tom Edwards
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
BBC A man with short brown hair, Pete Masters, is wearing a blue T-shirt which has the word "Ukraine" in yellow letters across the front. He is in front of a wooden counter with paper cups, a plastic bottle of milk and a silver-coloured coffee machine. There is a window behind him and a green umbrella can be seen outside.BBC
Pete Masters had to dodge Russian drones in Ukraine

A cafe owner is back home after two months dodging deadly drones while delivering aid donated by his customers to soldiers in Ukraine.

Pete Masters, who runs The Sacred Brew in Hereford, handed out hats, gloves, scarves, food and money that people had given to him for the war effort.

He has now returned with items he collected from the front line to show his customers how difficult life is in Ukraine. Among the items on display in his cafe are a Russian drone, shrapnel from a rocket, keys to an abandoned school, photos and a Ukrainian military uniform.

"I wanted to have something to remember my trip by - and give people an idea of how tough the conditions are over there," he said.

Pete Masters survived drone attacks

"The things I've seen are harrowing; it's horrible - rockets are coming in all day, and you're crossing the road, often running from building to building," the father of four said.

"I know it's dangerous and risky; every time I go there, I'm risking my life, but it's worth it. I can't abandon these people.

"That Russian drone, for example - we were delivering aid, and it's hit the ground near us - it's started buzzing and didn't detonate.

"I wanted it for the coffee shop - it's my drone; I found it. It's like something out of Star Trek.

"The keys were from a school that was completely obliterated."

A metal device that has four legs is on a wooden shelf. It is described as a Russian drone that was picked up off the ground in Ukraine.
A Russian drone sits on a shelf inside Pete Master's coffee shop

While he was there, Mr Masters spent time with Ukrainian soldiers in areas like Sloviansk and said they were thrilled to see him.

"They were ultra-grateful. I've never felt gratitude like it in my life.

"That's why I keep on going back. I go to certain towns where the soldiers are bunkered down; the road can be on fire as you are going in, and you are dodging rockets. It feels like you are running the gauntlet.

"And when you are going into these places with aid, it's very well-received."

'I'm making a difference'

Small metal items taken from destroyed military vehicles and a set of keys on a table in front of a blue and yellow Ukrainian flag,
The display includes bits from military vehicles and keys to an abandoned school

Mr Masters has already started fundraising for an 11th trip to Ukraine through an online fundraiser and a tin inside the cafe for donations.

"I have to be back here for now - my daughter is getting married in South Africa in September," he said.

"But I will go back there. I love those people [in Ukraine].

"Every time I go over there, I feel like I'm making a difference.

"This is just me, living my life, feeling that I'm doing the right thing by getting aid to them."

A wooden shelf with photographs of soldiers in Ukraine, as well as a blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, a helmet and some bits of metal from a vehicle.
Pete Masters' display gives people an insight into his trips to Ukraine

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