Fundraising effort sends fully-stocked ambulance from Northampton to Ukraine frontline
A fully equipped ambulance packed with medical supplies is on its way from Northampton to the Ukrainian frontline, following a major community fundraising effort.
After a gruelling four-day, 1,650-mile trip starting on Easter Sunday, the ambulance will be handed over to Ukraine-Mother, a Kyiv-based organisation who will distribute the aid, before the ambulance is donated to frontline military paramedics in Sumy.
The ambulance was funded thanks to generous donations to Caritas, the charity arm of the Catholic Diocese of Northampton, by parishioners, schools and supporters. They raised almost £8,000, while a further £3,500 came from the Tove Benefice church in Towcester.
It has been loaded with almost 950kg of medical equipment, including defibrillators, as well as humanitarian aid and battery packs, which will be given to areas where they are most needed.
The delivery follows one of the coldest Ukrainian winters in more than a decade, with temperatures dropping below -20°C, and comes four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Many communities are in desperate need of supplies, especially as hospitals and life-saving equipment have been destroyed.
Dr Loralie Rodrigues, strategic lead for Caritas Social Action in the Northampton Diocese, said: “We thank everyone who has donated to this cause and prayed for Ukraine as we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters there. It has been amazing to work with the team at Tove Benefice who have done so much to support communities in Ukraine.”
Steve Challen, from Tove Benefice, added: “These items will help paramedics save lives and support medical stabilisation facilities which treat the injured before they are transferred to hospitals away from the frontline. I want to thank our volunteers and everyone who has donated or worked with us to make this happen.”
This includes Brackley School and Brackley Round Table, who donated 200kg of humanitarian aid to the cause.
The ambulance will be driven by volunteers Alex Donaldson and Alan Gilbert. Once it has been handed over, they will take a sleeper train to Poland before flying back to England.