Dorset man raises thousands for medical supplies in Ukraine

Marcus Butler has been working on the ground for a couple of weeks

Marcus Butler (centre) with dad Nick (left) and David Pond
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 5th Apr 2022

A Dorset man's been doing what he can to provide medical support for people in Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion.

Marcus Butler travelled to Poland, alongside his dad Nick and friend David Pond, a couple of weeks ago.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio from their base in Poland, Nick Butler explains why they wanted to help:

"My son is married to a Ukrainian girl, so I have Ukraine in my family. My son also feels very strongly that he feels he needs to help the Ukrainian people as much as he can, so I've joined him on this little adventure really."

The group started off helping out at a refugee processing centre, seeing up to 2,500 people coming through each day.

They're now working to provide medical equipment to be taken into Ukraine and put into active service.

Nick, Marcus and David with two of the ambulances they've sourced for use in Ukraine

So far, they've provided four pre-owned ambulances and Nick says they have another focus:

"Marcus is working with a network of Ukrainians at the moment. They're working with hospitals who provide urgently needed cancer treatment. We're more than capable and prepared to jump in a vehicle and drive 1,000 miles to go and pick up cancer treatment, if that's what's needed."

The money to provide the ambulances and treatments has come thanks to donation to their Crowdfunder page.

In just two weeks, more than £37,000 has been donated and is going towards important equipment on the ground.

In this video, David says they've had to increase their fundraising target as they've done so well:

The group is describing their work as the Nightingale project - as the bird is the national animal of Ukraine, plus there's the obvious link with British nurse Florence Nightingale.

You can find out more about the fundraiser on their Crowdfunder page.

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