The town of Malmesbury, with a population of around 5,000, was initially linked to Cherkasy in central Ukraine only through the wife and stepdaughter of Brendan Ball, who comes from the Ukrainian city. Ball, an Englishman, met his wife while traveling to Cherkasy as a volunteer supporting Ukraine.
Today, Malmesbury is home to the aid organization Malmesbury Stands with Ukraine, and the two towns are connected by an Act of Friendship signed by their mayors two years ago. Following consultations, it became clear that what Cherkasy—subject to shelling and bombardment, sometimes several times a day and mainly at night—needed most was an ambulance. To raise funds, a series of cultural events, mainly concerts combined with collections, were organized in Malmesbury and the surrounding area.
The donations raised exceeded even the boldest expectations. With the funds, the organization purchased a fully equipped ambulance for Cherkasy, as well as a four-wheel-drive medical support vehicle, medicines, and medical equipment, which have now set off for the Ukrainian city. Both vehicles, insured in the United Kingdom, bear the Malmesbury coat of arms.
During the ceremony, Gavin Grant, the organization’s coordinator, did not hide his satisfaction. “Today is the day! The ambulance is carrying 32 boxes of medical supplies and kits so badly needed in Cherkasy. We cannot take up arms to defend Ukraine, but we can stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends and do everything in our power to help.”
The ambulance also contains defibrillators, tourniquets, medical training mannequins, and infant formula. The journey from Malmesbury to Cherkasy will take four days, with five volunteers taking turns behind the wheel. On arrival, they will be welcomed by the mayor of Cherkasy and the director of the city hospital, who will receive the donations.
Family News Service / Piotr Kowalczuk
photo by ELG21, pixabay.com