Ambulance headed from Malmesbury to Ukraine after £20k raised
People in Ukraine will be aided by essential medical supplies after £20,000 was raised to send an ambulance to the war-torn country.
Volunteers from the Malmesbury Stands with Ukraine group in Wiltshire raised the money through events to buy the ambulance, as well as a 4x4 medical support car.
The vehicles began their 1,800-mile (2,900km) journey from Malmesbury in to Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, earlier.
"Today's the day," said Malmesbury Stands with Ukraine convenor Gavin Grant. "The ambulance is full of 32 boxes of medical supplies and kits much needed in Cherkasy."
The trip from Wiltshire to Ukraine is expected to take four days, with five volunteers from the Malmesbury Stands with Ukraine group driving the vehicles.
Kit aboard the ambulance includes defibrillators, tourniquets, dummies for medical training and baby formula.
Volunteer Brendan Ball has a Ukrainian wife and step-daughter, who are constantly in touch with people in Cherkasy
"We know very precisely what is needed," he said. "Having been to Ukraine during the war I know what they are putting up with every day. There are air raids every night, usually twice, which wake everybody up.
"People [there] probably haven't had a good night sleep in four years."
The team will be met by Cherkasy's mayor and the director of a hospital in the town, which will benefit from the donations.
Malmesbury signed an official Friendship Agreement with Cherkasy in 2024 to recognise the support and respect between the two places.
Grant said: "We can't take up arms to defend Ukraine, but we can take a stand with our friends and do all we can to help."
Fundraising events in Malmesbury for the ambulance appeal included a Eurovision Party, a choir concert and a midsummer festival night for Ukraine.
A public appeal raised a further £3,000 to buy medical equipment and cover the costs of insuring and driving both vehicles, which carry the Malmesbury Town Crest and graphics.
Volunteer Jackie Peel said: "We have a stretcher which was fundraised by a concert specially formed by our member Debbie Cambray-Smith. Because of that, there is a completely mobile stretcher in the back of the ambulance ready to go.
"We are very grateful to the community because we couldn't do this without you."
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