Langford Mayor Stew Young is travelling to Ukraine to observe humanitarian efforts and to build relationships in the hopes of establishing a sister city with a community in the region.

Young will be travelling with Bob Beckett, vice-chair of SD62, Shawn Carby, a volunteer with GlobalMedic, an organization working on relief efforts in the region, and a videographer to document the trip.

The time and location of the trip isnB次元官网网址檛 being released for security reasons. Beckett said he and Young have taken similar journeys in the past to New York after 9/11 and to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 speaking from experience, itB次元官网网址檚 really important to shake the hand of your counterpart, itB次元官网网址檚 important to meet the people, itB次元官网网址檚 important for them to see that youB次元官网网址檙e there in their neighborhood, that you are taking the effort to go there to say, B次元官网网址榃e stand behind you,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Beckett.

Beckett B次元官网网址� who was formerly LangfordB次元官网网址檚 fire chief B次元官网网址� said his past experiences and partnering with GlobalMedic meant he isnB次元官网网址檛 concerned about safety risks while in the country.

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The organization is also receiving funds from the cityB次元官网网址檚 Langford Supports Ukraine money-raising campaign, which raised over $500,000 in total, including a $150,000 grant from GlobalMedic. Young said the total fundraising figure could climb to above a million.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not talking about making an announcement today, this is for the future, to help those people in Ukraine to make sure that they can get through this,B次元官网网址� said Young.

The money will go towards feeding people who have been displaced within Ukraine, as well as needed equipment.

Sooke School District also offered support, and Beckett said they are planning to connect with local school districts in Ukraine to see what support is needed.

ALSO READ: Langford Supports Ukraine campaign launched, new goal set to raise $50,000