Ukraine aid trip hits home for volunteers
Emsworth charity team delivers thousands of pounds’ worth of medical supplies to war-torn region
A CHARITY team from Emsworth who made their first trip into Ukraine to deliver thousands of pounds-worth of medical supplies said the journey into the war-torn country really ‘hit home.’
Army veterans Matt Simmons and Hannah Jarvis – of Bridge to Unity – left the UK on May 12 with packages for voluntary group Zintegrowana Sluzba Ratownicza (ZSR) in Poland before heading to Ukraine with equipment for the frontlines and for a maternity hospital that was bombed in Zhytomyr, returning on Sunday night.
It was the first time the group, which was originally established – and called Ems4Afghans – to help Afghan refugees, had ventured into Ukraine, with two previous visits to the border in Poland.
This time they had a total of £15,000 worth of supplies, ranging from individual first aid kits for soldiers to spinal boards for hospitals.
The ultimate goal is that ZSR will set up a field hospital using supplies from the donations.
Speaking to The News on their return, Matt, 41, said: ‘It really hit home that all these people have lost so much.’
‘The Ukrainian people were all so welcoming. They kept thanking us for bringing the supplies.’
Volunteer Hannah Jarvis, 39, added: ‘I was really pleased to be able to team up with Bridge to Unity for the third time. We’ve built up so much knowledge from previous trips, I think the time was right to make the crossing to deliver the medical kit, meaning the Ukrainian medics could stay on the frontline where they are needed.’
To find out more and to donate visit bridgetounity. co.uk.