It was an emotional day for Carlisle rock band Hardwicke Circus as handed over a 4×4 vehicle donated by the band and their guest guitarist, Texas legend Joe King Carrasco to soldiers on Ukraine’s front line, writes Chris Jones.
The handover took place close to an active military zone, where Ukrainian soldiers welcomed the band with warmth and gratitude despite the heavy atmosphere of conflict.
The vehicle, bought and equipped with funds raised by Hardwicke Circus and their supporters, will be used by front line troops for medical evacuations and essential supply runs — a lifeline in areas where mobility and protection can mean survival.
Jonny Foster, lead singer of Hardwicke Circus, said: “It’s a privilege to be able to make even a small difference. This 4×4 isn’t just a vehicle — it’s a symbol of solidarity and friendship between people who believe in freedom and peace.”
Alongside the band was Adrian Simpson from the UK-based charity Mission Aid for Ukraine, who is also the band’s security advisor who provides aid to front-line units.
Joe King Carrasco, who joined the tour to support the band’s humanitarian mission, added: “Music and compassion go hand in hand. This isn’t about fame or shows — it’s about doing something real for people who need it most.”
The Hardwicke Circus team that travelled to the front line – Jonny Foster, Tom Foster, Conor Morrissey, Joe King Carraco, Adrian, of Mission Aid for Ukraine, Veronika Zolotoverkha, a Ukrainian photographer now living in Carlisle and Taylan Mutafogly, a film documentary maker, said they would remember it for a long time.
Jonny added: “Without the support of Mission Aid for Ukraine, the UK charity in Ukraine Hope Full, who lent us a spare ambulance/minibus after our van was accident damaged, and the kindness of the Ukrainian people, police, and military, this tour simply wouldn’t have happened.
“And back home in Carlisle, Armstrong Watson have been behind us all the way.”
