The Suffolk man who still helps get aid to Ukraine, despite becoming paralysed

Darius Linkus has previously delivered 350 tonnes of donations to Ukraine

Darius and Saula Linkus in hospital after their accident
Author: Jasmine OakPublished 19th Jun 2023

A Suffolk man who was paralysed after a freak accident is still working to help Ukraine.

Darius Linkus from Felixstowe's delivered more than 350 tonnes of donations to the country - but suffered a broken back whilst on holiday.

After a very hectic few months of deliveries, he and his wife Saula took a weekend trip to Spain, where on their last day before coming home, they got in a moped accident, resulting in Darius breaking his spine and Saula breaking her neck.

Oli Horsman, who has known the couple for years and helped with aid donations for Ukraine. is now fundraising so the couple can make their home accessible.

He told us more about their travels to Ukraine.

"He was the key to absolutely everything. He is the person that decided to do it...

"I was just a co-pilot.

"Then it snowballed and there was more and more... he was always positive, saying 'yeah, we can deal with it. We can handle it.'

Saula and Darius with their Daughter

Saula and Darius with their Daughter

Saula and Darius with their Daughter

The Suffolk man who still helps get aid to Ukraine, despite becoming paralysed
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The accident

Oli told us the moped accident was 'such bad luck': "Darius was driving and Saula was a passenger on the back."

The couple weren't under the influence when driving and were following the speed limit when they hit a rock.

They both received emergency back surgery in Spain and then flew to Ipswich Hospital for further treatment.

"Saula, his wife came out of it and they knew she would be able to walk again, but her shoulder would take some time and Darius, they thought there was a chance he wouldn't be able to walk again."

After a lot of time and rehabilitation, doctors have confirmed it is unlikely that Darius will ever be able to walk again, but he might gain some minor mobility in one leg.

Oli visited them in the hospital he told us the first thing he saw was Darius on the phone, trying to sort out generators for Ukraine:

"They (Darius and Saula) were in separate rooms and when I did speak to him, he ended up just bursting into tears because all he cared about was that his wife was going to be OK.

"It was just crazy. He was like: 'I didn't care about whether I will walk again'. He only cared that his wife will be able to.

"He's been putting on a really brave face on all of it, to be honest. Anybody would struggle with this stuff, but I think he's doing better than I would in that situation."

Oli is now fundraising to add a downstairs bathroom into Darius and Saula's house. to make it more accessible for the coulpe.

He's hoping to raise £20,000.

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