Hammersmith Landscape Gardener Plans Drive to Ukraine

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Hew Stephenson helping deliver life-saving evacuation vehicles

Hew (left) and Grant (right) on the Transfagarasan Highway in Romania

August 24, 2026

A Hammersmith landscape designer is preparing for a journey that will take him far from the gardens he usually tends. This October, Hew Stevenson and his long-time friend Grant Jacobs will drive 1,318 miles across Europe in just three days to deliver a life-saving evacuation vehicle to Ukraine as part of the Driving Ukraine humanitarian convoy. Their destination is Lviv, where the vehicle will be handed over to frontline medics who evacuate wounded soldiers under constant threat of Russian attack.

Hew, who runs Shoots & Leaves under the railway arches in Trussley Road, says the decision has been years in the making. He has worked alongside Ukrainian employees and lived near Ukrainian neighbours, and the ongoing war has made him determined to contribute in a practical way. Grant, a fellow adventurer, has travelled with him through at least two dozen countries, including motorbiking across Romania and completing the Mongol Rally through the deserts and mountains of Central Asia. This mission, however, has a more serious purpose.

The need in Ukraine remains overwhelming. Since the invasion began in February 2022, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in aerial attacks and more than 1,000 medical facilities have been destroyed. Every nine minutes, medics attempt to evacuate wounded people from the front lines, often without the vehicles or equipment they need to operate safely. Driving Ukraine, a volunteer-led organisation recognised by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, has already delivered 366 vehicles through 59 convoys, supported by more than 700 volunteers from over 30 countries. These vehicles are used by casualty-evacuation teams, first responders, air defence units, bomb disposal specialists, hospitals and emergency services.

Hew and Grant have raised over £7,000, enough to purchase and transport the evacuation vehicle. They are now appealing for additional support to equip it with drone-detection technology. FPV drones are currently the deadliest threat to medics and evacuation teams, appearing without warning and capable of turning a rescue into a tragedy. Extra funds will allow the vehicle to be fitted with a Chuyka 3.0 detector, a compact frontline device that identifies enemy drone video signals and gives crews precious seconds to stop, disperse or take cover.

Donations of £250 or more from UK taxpayers are eligible for Gift Aid, increasing contributions by 25 per cent at no extra cost. Larger donations can be made directly to Driving Ukraine, and all offline contributions are added to the public total for transparency. Supporters are encouraged to opt in to name-sharing so Hew and Grant can thank donors publicly.

Hew acknowledges the risks but says they pale in comparison to what Ukrainians face daily. His wife has asked whether the trip is wise, but he points out that he will only spend one night in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians and medics endure attacks night after night.

After delivering the vehicle, Hew will return to Hammersmith in time for his annual tradition of supplying Christmas trees in local parks to raise funds for schools, something he has done for 26 years.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has also supported Ukraine, donating 730 solar panels to a missile-damaged hospital and helping refugees through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

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