The situation in Ukraine is dire. The need for urgent medical care has never been greater, and with this the need for rapid hospital transfer of injured patients. There is a particular need for vehicles able to withstand the damaged roads and difficult terrain. Dr Viktor Oshovskyy works as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Kyiv, but every third month rotates to a medical facility in eastern Ukraine where he heads a team providing acute trauma care; for them, effective patient transfer is simply a matter of life or death. Viktor has asked me to raise funds for two replacement 4x4 vehicles; these are adapted for ambulance use once in Ukraine, as shown in the photo. For 2 vehicles in good condition we needed £10000. Thanks to your generosity we have now bought these and they are serviced and ready for delivery leaving August 12. We will take a 2-tonne trailer loaded with medical equipment donated to Welsh Aid for Ukraine. The second vehicle will be loaded with medical supplies that Viktor’s team have specified, and the vehicles will be delivered to the point of use in Ukraine. The cost of the medical supplies is significant, and is why the funding target had been increased from £10000 to £14000, now £15000. We have the carrying capacity; with the extra we can buy another £1000 worth of trauma-specific medical equipment. The costs of transfer will be met by separate funding.

I know that there are many demands on your generosity for charitable giving. Nonetheless, I would really appreciate it if you would consider a donation to this very specific cause. Its value will quickly translate into practical benefit for the people of east Ukraine, many of whom had little and have lost so much.