When Ukraine-born Australian doctor Andriy Boyko watched on as horrific images of a war-torn Ukraine poured in, he felt compelled to help.
"Seeing the images from Ukraine is very confronting," he said.
Dr Bokyo grew up in Kyiv before emigrating to New Zealand with his family at the age of 11, later moving to Australia where he has now settled in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast.
He still has many friends and relatives in Ukraine who have been forced from their homes by the war.
"Before COVID struck, I used to go back about every 18 months to visit friends and family … I have about 30 friends and family spread out through Ukraine. They have all been affected in different ways," he said.
"[My] family in Kyiv have all been displaced and they've all moved west … they’ve packed up and left their whole lives, taking only what they can pack in a car.
"I had a cousin in eastern Ukraine who was caught in Kharkiv, which has been a major target.
Delivering supplies to those in need
Feeling driven to do something to support those in his birth country, Dr Boyko embarked on a crowd-fundraising mission in late February.
He is now about travel to the Ukrainian border to deliver essential medical and humanitarian supplies to hospitals and aid organisations.
"I did not expect to raise that much … I think there's a sense of solidarity behind what's happening in Ukraine and it is really good to see how many people have come out to support me."
A first supply shipment went out about four weeks ago with predominantly medical equipment, aimed at managing trauma.
Dr Boyko will now travel to border nations including Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to ensure delivery of the next shipment, which will include supplies such as food, nappies and medical equipment.
Dr Boyko said he had drawn on his personal contacts in Ukraine to establish what kind of aid was most needed, then set up a supply chain.
"I will pick up the medical equipment and medications that we have procured in Europe and deliver them to my team in Ukraine," he said.
The trip means spending time away from his own young family.
"It's a big decision because I have a family here in Australia," he said.
"I have a two-year-old daughter and we have a second one on the way, but I needed to do something to help Ukrainians caught in the crisis.
"I am a little bit nervous. It will be a tough two-week trip … but initially, I had this overwhelming amount of emotions and a feeling of helplessness, and actually doing something feels a lot better than doing nothing."
Global Medical Foundation Australia donated medical equipment and provided logistical support, while the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations assisted with free freight for the first shipment.
Newcastle Knights and pro surfer Matt Banting offer support
Dr Bokyo moved to Australia after finishing high school to study medicine at the University of Newcastle.
He is a sports medicine registrar based in Port Macquarie and also works as a medical officer for rugby league club, the Newcastle Knights.
"The Knights have been really good. They have released me from my duties for two weeks and have been really supportive," Dr Boyko said.
A signed surfboard has been donated by Matt Banting, a Port Macquarie-based professional surfer, which will also be auctioned.
"The support has been incredible," Dr Boyko said.
