November 2022 Update.....

We go again!

Following my trip to Poland & Ukraine in March 2022, I have decided that due to the ever worsening situation in Ukraine to keep on offering my support in 2 ways:

Newcastle Friends of Ukraine Xmas bash!

I want to give the displaced families currently living in the North East a a traditional British Christmas bash to remember. Food, music, a real life Santa, Face painters, magicians, snow machines - you name it, I'm trying to provide it!

The room can hold up to 120, so I am looking to provide food, drinks and presents for all the children who attend.

The event is taking place on Saturday 17th December (4-6pm) in the Ballroom at The Towers in Jesmond, which has been kindly donated FOC by the owner

I am currently in the midst of organising the event, so I'm looking for support on all fronts. Donations along with recommendations and offers of help in securing music, lighting, magicians and the big man himself - Santa Claus!

More on this as the event starts coming together!!

Medical Aid Ukraine - North East

I have now also volunteered to drive much needed Medical Aid to Ukraine on behalf of Medical Aid Ukraine - North East in early 2023 accompanied by my wife Andrea.

Medical Aid Ukraine - North East are a grass roots not-for-profit organisation who are working to procure the most urgently needed medical equipment for Ukraine's field hospitals. They are working alongside other national organisations with similar goals and values.

They have been liaising with Ukrainian front-line medics and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to produce a list of the most urgently requested medical items.

Medic friends - If you have donations from an NHS Trust, GP, dentist, pharmacy, private clinic or medical supplier please Contact me to organise collection / delivery.

Other items needed as follows:

MOST URGENT

TRAUMA PACKS

IFAK II Complete Kit

The composition of the individual first aid kit IFAK

CAT tourniquet (or similar)

Haemostatic dressing (QuikClot Combat Gauze Z-Folded, Celox Gauze)

Israeli bandage size 4" or 6"

Nasopharyngeal tube and lubrication.

Chest wound seal (HALO occlusive dressing or similar)

Decompression needle

Anti-burn hydrogel bandage/dressing

Tough cuts / trauma shears

Sterile gauze

Permanent black marker

Thermo/foil blanket

URGENTLY REQUESTED SURGICAL EQUIPMENT

Surgical clothing / shoes

Surgical instruments and consumables for laparoscopic and open surgery

Surgical sutures - linear and circular

Electrocoagulation blocks (Hormonic)

Gastroscopes, colonoscopes, video endoscopes

C-arch

Operating tables and surgical lamps.

OTHER REQUESTED ITEMS

Airway

Anesthesia machine

Vacuum aspirator / portable suction

Laryngoscope with blades of different sizes

Tracheostomy set

Tracheal intubation kit

LMA/ NPA

Breathing

Capnograph / CO2 monitor

Chest drains / Set for drainage of the pleural cavity

Oxygen masks

Ventilator

Bag valve masks

Circulation

Patient monitor

Electrocardiograph

Defibrillator / pads

Syringe pump / sets

Infusion volumetric pump / sets

Central vein canulation kits

Set for intraosseous access

IV cannulas

Tourniquets

Quick Clot dressings / packing

Disability / Environment / Others

Glucometer / test strips

Otoscope / ophthalmoscope

Portable light source for patient examination

Mobile X-ray machine

Ultrasound diagnostic device

Set of sterile surgical instruments

Abdominal cavity wash out kit

Urinary catheters / kits

Traction tire

Kits for lumbar puncture

Immobilization tires of various types and sizes

Syringes with needles (different volumes)

Non - sterile bandage

Elastic fixing bandage

Sterile burn dressings

Sterile wound dressings

External fixation device

Tough Cuts

Insulated foil blankets

Tape

Skin markers

If you can donate any of the above including any unopened, in date, over the counter drugs such as Ibuprofen etc. they can also be accepted. We cannot accept any prescription drugs or any out of date medicines.

The plan is to fill my vehicle and drive over to Ukraine to deliver the items and also help out whilst we are there.

Thanks to everyone who has helped previously, but more is needed!

March 2022 Efforts....................

Like many people, I have been sickened by images following Russia's act of aggression towards to the people of Ukraine. I have been talking to John Lawler from the 'Make a Difference' (MAD) Foundation working out in Ukraine about what practical help I could offer. I've agreed to drive from Newcastle to the Polish border in order to help them with their Operation SafeDrop efforts.

When Ukrainian refugees arrive across the border, they have already survived a long and dangerous journey. That journey may have involved sleeping underground, scarce food for days, and walking many miles with tired or sick children. When refugees arrive in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova, the local people have provided incredible transitory support, including setting up refugee camps and providing food and other resources. Many of the refugees have a friend, relative, or volunteer host located in Poland or elsewhere in Europe that they are trying to reach. Many have few belongings and no available source of funds when they arrive at the border. People have been lingering in the refugee camp trying to figure out how to get to a more permanent solution. While the refugee camps are a great gift from Poland and the other countries, people need to reach a more permanent place to safely stay throughout the duration of the Crisis.

MAD is working to provide support and transportation to get women and children safely from the border (or border refugee camps) directly to their desired destination. Not only does this relieve the families themselves but also relieves the pressure on the border refugee camps. They aim to provide a safe, efficient, and free "last mile" transportation for those who were forced to make this journey to keep their children safe.

They are struggling with funds for fuel etc., so I've agreed that I will raise enough funds to get myself out there, drop off the urgent supplies that are needed and then spend time driving families to their chosen place of safety, without draining their resources. Their Chief Executive (John Lawler) has also told me that the people fleeing are in desperate need of feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, new socks and underwear, so I want to try and fill my car up on the outward journey. It’s a big Land Rover Defender, so it can take a substantial amount of items, so dig deep and get donating as I want it full to the brim before I set off. The more you can give either via the page (or by dropping any of the above items listed above to my home address), the better!

If there are any corporate sponsors willing to donate, please spread the word & share!

We are now departing this coming Sunday (27th March) for Poland. I am delighted to also announce, I am being being joined by Tim Cieslik from Lincoln (he's fellow Land Rover Defender Facebook Group Member), so w ow have 2 full cars of supplies going over to Poland in order to drop supplies, then help with the transportation of refugees. Thanks for your help.