Hundreds of lives could be saved in the poorest parts of the Ukraine thanks to a mercy mission by members of Birstall Luddites Rotary Club.

The 16-strong group of volunteers - including Rotary members from clubs in Skipton, Bingley, Airedale, Elland, Holmfirth and Ossett - are receiving 360 litres of water for their own use.

But they are also taking along water purification tablets so they can clean water supplies in the Ukrainian towns they visit.

Yorkshire Water is giving the supplies to the aid mission - a 3,000-mile return journey across Eastern Europe to Vinogradiv and Uzhgorod, an area in the Ukraine's flood plains, where people live in appalling conditions and battle daily against adversity.

The convoy of six vehicles set off yesterday from James Wilby's building merchants, in Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike.

Along with clothes for babies, children and adults, children's potties, curtains and bedding, the group of Rotarians will be delivering hospital equipment that they hope will play a vital part in saving people's lives in this poverty-stricken region of the country.

David Goldthorpe, the organiser of the mission and member of Birstall Luddites Rotary Club, thanked Yorkshire Water for its support of the mission.

"This is the second time we have been to the Ukraine," he said.

"The first time we took essential supplies like clothing and food in the hope we could make life more comfortable for the people there. After witnessing the appalling conditions people live in and the lack of hospital equipment, this year we are able to take the things that are really needed and will make a difference in saving people's lives."

The Vinogradiv and Uzhgorod regions have suffered a number of severe floods that have left families homeless and the water undrinkable.

The aid the group is giving out will go to hospitals, orphanages and to the flood victims.

The mission, which will take more than two weeks to complete, is being financially supported by donations from the Rotary clubs of Yorkshire and the vehicles are being loaned from various organisations.