British Army Veteran Comes to aid of his adopted home of Ukraine

Until recently British Army veteran Zak West from Worcester, UK was living a normal family life in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, his adopted home of the last 10 years. Having left the British Army after 22 years' service, serving in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan he then chose to settle in the Ukraine. Here Zak made himself a life with his Ukrainian partner and his son Adam, whilst starting a business teaching outdoor activities such as kayaking and rock-climbing.

At the outbreak of war, when it became too dangerous, Zak’s immediate and extended family decided to evacuate to Poland. This long journey was thwart with danger of attack, and the collapse of most of the Ukrainian banking made it hard to get money to travel. It was in this hour of need Zak turned to his extended ex-military family, and it was not long before they rallied round, and funds were raised to get Zak and his family to the safety of Poland

Once in Poland, with his family safe and settled, Zak made the decision to return to his hometown of Zaporizhzhia to help. This, although a shock to many, was not a surprise to those that know Zak’s character of old. As Zak said himself "How can I abandon the people that have accepted me into their community in their time of need?"

Before returning to his hometown, Zak, knowing how hard it was to get medical supplies to the areas so far south and south east, decided to establish a supply route through a contact in Poland to get medical supplies. Using money left from the evacuation fund Zak purchased supplies and filled his car, set up the re-supply plans and headed back to his home area.

We as Zak’s friends want to continue to raise funds to help Zak , his family and his local community of Zaporizhzhia we will continue to update the page with correspondence from Zak.