Have-a-go heroes who think video games have prepared them for the horrors of war could become 'part of the problem' in Ukraine, a County Durham veteran has said.
The Foreign Office has warned Brits not to travel to Ukraine, but nonetheless there have been plenty of reports of people claiming they were heading to the country to fight. Former RAF serviceman Rob Campbell, from Consett, says these well-intentioned wannabe soldiers aren't helping.
Rob, 45, spent a week last month crossing the Ukrainian border to help vulnerable people, including orphaned children and people in wheelchairs, get to safety in Poland.
READ MORE: Hero Consett veteran smuggling families out of Ukraine
While he said he was careful to avoid any conflict, he says he met several Brits who thought joining the battle was a good idea. But he has urged anyone who wanted to help the people of Ukraine to find other ways to contribute.
He said: "There were a few guys who I met there in the camp who had no military experience but they are part of the PlayStation Generation. No military training but they've played Call of Duty.
"They had just packed a bag and gone over there and found out what war looks like. What I would say is if you can contribute, if you've got skills to offer on the border, do go and help, but please don't go and fight.
"They have a military there that's being supported by the British Government. They don't need guys with no experience because you'll just become part of the problem.
"There are better ways to help. Whether that's on the border helping refugees with things like cooking, or staying at home and raising money. If you really want to help, run a 5k and raise money because that will be more useful.
"It was really nice to see some of the guys over there who had walked away from it. They were young, fit lads and they were doing a fantastic job, helping in the med points, helping the children.
"They were fantastic people who had gone over there to fight and realised quite quickly that fighting isn't fun. It's not like you can restart and try again.
"War is horrific. If you want to do something productive, do something to help the next generation in Ukraine but don't go risking your life, don't make things worse for yourself or your family by not coming home.
"I did what I did because I knew I had the skills, and because I always saw it as a humanitarian rescue mission."
Despite this issue, Rob everyone he'd met on his mission had been doing an 'incredible' job to support those dispossessed by the conflict, adding that there is plenty that ordinary people can do to help.
"On the Polish said of the border you had people from every country you can imagine doing what they could to help," he said.
"In situations like this you see the worst of humanity but you also see the best."
