A man from Oxfordshire has been awarded the highest civilian honour a volunteer can receive from the Ukrainian military.

Fynn Watt, 22, has been delivering donated vehicles to Ukraine since March last year.

He also helps get food and medical supplies to refugee camps and set up a volunteer vehicle workshop in Lviv in July.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver fined for doing 69mph on M1

Last month, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence awarded Fynn the highest civilian honour a volunteer can receive.

Oxford Mail:

Fynn from Deddington, near Banbury, said: "The award is recognition not just for me but for the 820 people who have donated or driven for the project. It's recognition that Ukraine appreciates them.

"I couldn't go to Kyiv for the ceremony so it came through the post. It means all the same to me as the recognition was there.

"It's important that people know that they can help too. If you can drive you can literally be out on the road next month.

"Even if you can't there are so many other ways to help."

The award states that Fynn "has been awarded with this medal for big personal contribution for supporting Ukraine's armed forces" and was signed by former Defence Minister Oleksii Rezniko.

Oxford Mail:

The medal is the highest award for volunteers in Ukraine who do not partake in military action.

He says he shares the honour with everyone who supported the Driving Ukraine project.

Fynn decided to go to Ukraine when he returned to the UK from the USA and realised "how close" the conflict was.

At the time, he was doing a degree apprenticeship at a pharmaceutical company but "dropped everything" to go and help the war effort.

He first began by helping Ukrainians find refuge across Europe, but then started to help with transporting vehicles.

Fynn now focuses on transporting key vehicles such as ambulances get from the UK to Ukraine.

He said: "You can drive to Ukraine from the UK in 24 hours. You could be there tomorrow if you wanted to. It's so close.

"I couldn't just stand there and watch. We gathered with our community and decided to do something practical.

READ MORE: Teenager jailed for life over 'cowardly' murder of 25-year-old electrician

"When there's a war in Europe it's no longer one person's war. There's a responsibility there to help.

Oxford Mail:

"I've known people who have since died in the conflict. I have a family here, a little brother and sister, so I don't want the war to spread here.

"I've started learning the language so I can communicate with the people. There's always an utmost respect from them.

"Support from other countries like ours can make all the difference."

You can find out more about how to get involved with Fynn and the team here: https://www.drivingukraine.org/