Sarah-Jane and Jemima (mother and daughter) will be driving a reconditioned ambulance loaded with medical aid to Ukraine. Our convoy will consist of 5 ambulances and 10 drivers and the trip will take 3/4 days averaging 10 hours driving per day. We have chosen to volunteer to do this for a wonderful Charity that is providing critical and essential aid to Ukraine. Medical Life Lines Ukraine work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to ensure the right aid is getting to the places it's needed. They currently estimate a need for 600 ambulances as a result of recent targeting of ambulances by Russian drones which continues.

The need for emergency medical evacuation and treatment will remain acute. Over 50,000 Ukrainians have lost limbs; facial injuries reflect attritional trench warfare and the impact of drones, casualties are often evacuated from the battlefield using crude and uncomfortable methods, and the remorseless Russian assault on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure continues to place relentless strain on Ukrainian emergency services.

Don't think talk of a ceasefire is going to reduce the need for such medical support. Right now the Russian assaults are intensifying particularly in the Kursk salient where Russia is trying to get back as much Russian territory as possible before any agreement is made. Since discussion of a ceasefire Russia has doubled down on its attacks against Ukraine both on the battlefield and attacks against Ukrainian civilians and cities.

Jemima and Sarah-Jane feel passionately about supporting this Charity and helping Ukraine in some small and tangible way. Other members of our family have done their bit and now it's our turn. But we need your help to achieve this.

It costs £20,000 to buy, recondition and deliver an ambulance to Ukraine. As drivers, we MUST raise a minimum of £14,000 between us to support this cost. We had anticipated joining a convoy in the autumn but the need for ambulances is so urgent that we have been called forward to leave in May and therefore time is short. Please can you help us in any way you can with a donation big or small. We would really appreciate it. Thank you so much for your support.

Please read on for more information about this incredible initiative which will, with our convoy, be delivering it's 100th ambulance.

Medical Life Lines Ukraine has (as of February 2025) delivered 91 aid-filled ambulances and emergency services vehicles to Ukraine alongside 25 generators and one all-terrain rescue crane since Putin's illegal full-blown invasion. This work has saved countless lives and - perhaps more importantly - shown the people of Ukraine that a huge number of people in the outside world are acutely aware of their plight and keen to help them in whatever way that we can.

This winter will be a harsh and challenging one for the people of Ukraine. Russia has intentionally focussed its attacks both on the power generation infrastructure of Ukraine as well as on hospitals - both of which are crucial resources for the civilians of Ukraine - all the more so in a harsh Ukrainian winter. Our winter convoys will follow in the wake of twelve earlier convoys and demonstrate our continuing desire to stand with Ukraine.

It costs some £20k to buy, recondition and deliver an ambulance to Ukraine and this money is raised by our wonderful volunteer fundraiser-drivers. The piece above from America's CBS network gives some insight into a Sunflower Convoy from 2023.

Excess funds are used to buy medical and other aid, additional equipment and vehicles needed by the emergency services - maybe even an additional all-terrain rescue crane! We work closely with the health and emergency authorities in Ukraine to identify what is needed so that we can then deliver what people actually need, where they need it.

This includes not only ambulances and medical aid (everything from crutches to defibrillators, bandages to endoscopes) but also clothing and practically anything else that is needed and we can carry. Even dog food!

We - and the people of Ukraine - are hugely grateful to you for your generosity in continuing to help to save lives and send a very significant message of support to the people of Ukraine who are suffering so greatly as a result of Russia's appalling aggression. Thank you.