A war breaks out … Finding our Paramedics

On 24th February 2022 the whole world was shocked as the cruel and awful Russian invasion on Ukraine began. And every single day, we are more and more upset about the brutality of this war – especially about the suffering of innocent civilians that include thousands of children.

People of Amersham, Little Chalfont, Chalfont St.Peter, Chalfont St. Giles, Chesham, Great Missenden, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Sarratt, Prestwood and other towns and villages rushed to help those affected by the war.

Queues of cars were present at the Little Chalfont Scout Hut with enormous amounts of goods – baby food, nappies, medical supplies, toiletries and equipment that could be used to support the frontline teams in Ukraine.

After the initial rush and trying to organize a supply chain of transferring the goods over to Ukraine, we finally got out breaths back and we have time to give you all the feedback about the work we do.

The fact that we can send things over to Ukraine is only possible because of a supply chain that, thanks to a hard work of many people, could be done. Crucial in this chain are companies (Quick Declare, MAPS Pol LTD and Joar Sp. z o.o.) that offered help without any charge and is

transporting our things from England to Poland. We would never be able to afford this kind of transport!

Once the donations arrive in Poland the most dangerous and complicated part of the journey begins – delivering them to Ukraine. And it is possible thanks to the two most amazing people – Paramedics Julia and Chris– who, risking their own life and health, travel to Ukraine to bring over the supplies and evacuate medically unwell people over to Poland, where those people could continue the medical treatment in Polish hospitals.

So, let’s meet the Team:-

Julia

Paramedic with about 20 years of experience. Julia works in the ambulance service, but she also works with clinical research and as a sworn translator from Ukrainian language. Born and raised in Lviv, moved to Poland in 1996. Her fluent knowledge of Ukrainian language is a huge asset to this mission. When asked why she was doing these missions – she simply said: I have Ukrainian citizenship and this is my war.

Chris

Paramedic with also about 20 years of experience. Chris works in the ambulance service but he is also a priest in the Polish Catholic Church. He combines his passion for medicine with his inner good to help people. Chris has an experience

in the war zone – spent together 18 months in Afghanistan as a combat medic. When asked why he decided to drive to Ukraine, he simply said: I am a Paramedic and a priest – I cannot imagine not doing this.

Julia and Chris will come to England when they some free time to tell their stories in person. At the moment, they are happy to answer any questions about their missions or to pass on any information to Ukraine if someone wants to do so!

The ambulance that they use is a property of Gdansk Ambulance Service, Poland and is being kindly lend for the missions when available. Julia and Chris would like to buy the ambulance to continue their work, and after they complete all the medevacs, to donate it to Ukrainian ambulance service.