A convoy of trucks driven by Bus Éireann drivers will leave Tralee, Co Kerry, on Friday with aid for orphanages in Belarus. It will join others from around Munster to leave for France from Rosslare on Saturday for a journey across eight countries.
Up to 15 Bus Éireann drivers from Waterford, Kerry and Cork will join other private truck drivers for the 14 truck and ambulance convoy to the orphanage at Grozovo, which is supported by the Waterford-based charity, Chernobyl Aid Ireland.
Tralee driver Marie Lawton will be on her second expedition to the area stricken by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 20 years ago.
She is among four Bus Éireann drivers in Tralee to give up 10 days of her holiday time to drive the 2,200 miles to the village of Grozovo.
"We are bringing everything from bikes to bedding material to toothpaste.
"But no matter what we are bringing over, it's only a drop in the ocean for the orphanages," she said.
The biggest challenge in the 2,200-mile trip are border crossings, Ms Lawton has said. This is because of delays which can last several days.
The Tralee convoy will leave from Stoker's Lodge between 10.30am and noon, when there will be blessing by parish priest Mgr Daniel Riordan.