Plea to help Cornwall's Outreach Paramedics on Independence Day of Ukraine
Celebration events in Saltash and Wadebridge are helping to raise money
Last updated 24th Aug 2022
Cornwall is coming together to celebrate Independence Day of Ukraine, with special events in Saltash and near Wadebridge.
They will include everything from food and drink to stalls and quizzes, in support of Outreach Paramedics.
Faye Shepherd is on the team who have taken emergency ambulances to the war-torn region and said: "I don't think I've seen anything as sad as I've seen out there.
"The images of mothers and their children - the children that are barely old enough to stand and they've got backpacks on with all of their possessions in, not knowing where they're going to sleep tonight. The refugees - it's just utterly heart-breaking out there".
Speaking about Wednesday's celebration events, Faye added: "It's a really good opportunity to meet Ukrainians in our community, to talk to them and to have a better understanding of what they've been through as well as celebrating their country as well; it's really important".
The aim of Outreach Paramedics is to provide ambulances, medical aid and volunteer HCPC registered paramedics in order to deliver medical relief in response to humanitarian crises.
The group is predominantly made up of paramedics but also has doctors and nurses, actors, administrators and website developers who all volunteer their time to deliver its goals.
They say the war in Ukraine has taken the lives of many and caused mass displacement and casualties and one of the ongoing issues is the heart-breaking number of homeless mothers giving birth prematurely due to stress. The hospitals simply do not have the number of incubators required or ambulances on hand to transport neonates and to effectively care for these babies.
The group is trying to raise £15,000 to buy an ambulance fit for neonatal care, an incubator and other urgent neonatal medical supplies to provide life-saving care to families urgently in need in Ukraine.
It has managed to raise over £6000 in total via JustGiving, several ‘Highway Hold-ups’ in Cornwall and other donations from various organisations and individuals who have noticed our efforts and cause.
You can find out how to Outreach Paramedics through its online Crowdfunder campaign.
Cornwall's Outreach Paramedics have the support of local Ukrainian woman, Irina Chernenko (amongst others), who heard about what they are doing and reached out.
Irina has organised and helped to coordinate three Ukrainian Independence Day events on the 24th August 2022, two in Cornwall (Wadebridge & Saltash) and another in Chelmsford.
The proceeds of these events will be donated to Outreach Paramedics Ukraine Appeal.
Cornwall's events will take place at Egloshayle Pavilion, Wadebridge, between 5pm and 7pm and from 2pm at the Community Kitchen in Saltash.
More details about the events can be found on the Outreach Paramedics' website.