An A&E doctor from South Tyneside District Hospital is working to raise money to buy ambulances to help those in Ukraine where he was born.
Dr Anatoliy Telpov, 55, and NHS colleague Kelly Storey, 48, are hoping to raise £25,000 to purchase refurbished ambulances which are "urgently needed". Dr Telpov has worked in the UK for more than two decades and raised his family here.
Kelly, who is a medical secretary working at the Northumbria Healthcare NHS and from Whitley Bay, has teamed up with Dr Telpov to help. She also works as a member of ambulance crew for a private ambulance firm.
Read more: NHS staff drive across Europe to deliver ambulances to help on the frontline in Ukraine
Dr Telpov is from the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, which is in the west of Ukraine, and he still has close family and friends in the country. He is in "frequent contact" with friends working in the Ukrainian medical community - and said there is a very real need for vital medical resources to help save lives of those impacted by the Russian invasion there.
He said: "To see what is happening is terrible, the place is being destroyed. With my colleagues and staff and a lot of other people, we want to get these vehicles and drive them to the Ukraine border so we can give them to people who can use them to make a difference.
“We know many people want to find a way to offer their support. Any help will be much appreciated. We are trying to raise this money as soon as we can."
So far the pair have raised more than £2,000, but with hopes to buy "two or more" ambulances to "transport casualties and assist civilian evacuation" along with a whole range of medical kit including PPE, "tactical ambulance helmets", tourniquets and surgical equipment, they're hoping to see that total rise fast.
Kelly added: "I hope we can get supplies and vehicles to our colleagues in Ukraine, because this will help save lives.
"Any funds gifted will be gratefully received and any efforts, no matter how small, will help us reach our goal. We’re also asking people to share the details of our appeal to help spread the word."
To help support the fundraiser, visit gofund.me/6f85e7e2
