This simple three-fingered signal marked the triumphant arrival in Ukraine of a life-sustaining convoy from Oldham.

The man, a member of the Ukrainian civic defence force, is showing gratitude and jubilation knowing members of the Ukrainian diaspora in Oldham, with the support of many, many British people, were giving his country support.

He is showing the sign, the Tryzub, which is linked to saying: "Slava Ukrayini" (Glory to Ukraine) to which the reply is: "Slava Heroyam" (Glory to its heroes).

A 10-strong team from the region included four drivers who are members of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul and All Saints, on Chadderton Way. 

The other six drivers were volunteers and friends from Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

And out of the eight vehicles, one was donated by a family in the parish who wished to remain anonymous.

Stefan Moraz, the spokesman for the fundraising efforts in Oldham, said: “The family have insisted the vehicle is to be treated as a gift from our parish to help those in the greatest need in Ukraine.

“It was donated to the charity created at the drop of a hat after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24.

“Other vehicles were provided by generous Ukrainian ex-pats in the south of England.”

Mr Moraz said the team of intrepid drivers left at dawn on Friday, March 25  on their journey via France, Belgium, Germany and Poland to the base of the Lviv Regional Administration centre near the Polish-Ukrainian border. 

On route one of the vehicles broke down and had to wait six hours, approximately 300km from their end destination. 

He said: “A recovery truck and personnel from the base attended and collected the three tonnes of humanitarian aid and all 10 courageous drivers.

“And everyone was involved in sorting and loading around three tonnes of much-needed aid into boxes.

"The aid, comprising medication, food and powdered milk for babies and toiletries, is all in short supply.

“The drivers returned back home early last Sunday morning in time to give an update to the parishioners prior to the Sunday liturgy.

“The vehicles were handed over to the Administration to be used by the Civil Defence Units to ferry supplies into Ukraine and pick up the vulnerable, injured or wounded.”