I’m volunteering to drive an ambulance to Ukraine as part of the Ukraine Focus Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

So, what does that actually mean?

Ukraine Focus sources end-of-service ambulances from across Europe and gives them a second life where they are urgently needed. These are ambulances that have reached the end of their normal service with European emergency services, but can still provide valuable use to the people of Ukraine. By acquiring and repurposing these vehicles, Ukraine Focus can get more ambulances to Ukraine while keeping costs as low as possible.

To date, Ukraine Focus has supplied nearly 400 ambulances and evacuation vehicles across Ukraine. The vehicles are handed over to partners within Ukraine's Territorial Defence Corps, where they can be used for medical evacuation, emergency transport and supporting people who need urgent medical care.

I am funding 100% of my own journey, including flights, petrol, accommodation and food. This means that donations made through this fundraiser won't be funding my involvement during this trip. All funds raised go directly to Ukraine Focus and help put more ambulances and medical supplies on the road.

Once delivered, these vehicles are used in demanding and often dangerous conditions, providing medical evacuation and emergency support to both frontline service personnel and civilians. As a result, their expected operational service life can be as little as six months, meaning ambulances need to be replaced regularly to keep this vital capability available.

Each end-of-service ambulance typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000 to source, prepare and put into service. Our fundraising goal is to raise enough to help provide another ambulance for the next convoy to Ukraine.

My part in the programme

I’ll be joining the volunteer team in Munich, Germany, where the ambulances will be assembled into a convoy for the journey east.

From Munich, I will accompany the convoy and, alongside the other volunteer drivers, drive one of the ambulances all the way to Kyiv.

Each vehicle needs a volunteer driver to get it from Europe to the people who will ultimately use it in Ukraine. I’ll be responsible for driving and helping to look after the ambulance throughout the journey, working as part of the wider convoy team.

Once we reach Kyiv, the ambulances will be formally handed over to Ukraine Focus's partners before being distributed to the areas and units where they are most needed.

Why use end-of-service ambulances?

Ambulances are expensive specialist vehicles, and buying new ones would mean that the same fundraising could provide far fewer vehicles. Given the demanding conditions in which these ambulances are used and their relatively short operational lifespan once deployed, the recurring cost of supplying brand-new vehicles isn’t feasible.

End-of-service ambulances from across Europe offer a practical alternative. Although they are being retired from frontline service in Europe, they remain highly capable and equipped with life saving medical equipment. By acquiring and repurposing these vehicles, Ukraine Focus can make limited funding go considerably further and maintain a regular supply of ambulances to replace those that are damaged in services.

The impact

The impact of these vehicles can be seen in the experiences of the people who have relied on them.

One ambulance delivered more than two years ago was recently involved in the rescue of a 43-year-old service member who had suffered multiple serious gunshot and shrapnel injuries.

Medics used the ambulance to provide immediate treatment while transporting him to a stabilisation point. Doctors later found a collapsed lung, two compound fractures and shrapnel near his heart. Because he received urgent care and was moved quickly, he survived, kept his limbs and is now recovering in a specialist hospital.

In another case, an ambulance crew returning from a medical transport came across a man on a bicycle desperately asking for help. His 55-year-old companion had been badly injured by shelling and was being carried in a wheelbarrow.

The crew stopped, brought her into the ambulance and provided emergency treatment while taking her to hospital. She arrived alive and was stabilised.

These are powerful examples of the necessity of these ambulances to Ukraine’s defence.

Please help me put another ambulance on the road

My goal is to raise enough to help fund another ambulance for the next convoy.

I’m proud to be taking part in this programme and to contribute in a practical way and helping get aid into the hands of those who need it the most.

If you can donate, thank you. Every contribution brings us closer to putting another vehicle on the road. If you aren't able to donate, sharing this page with friends, family and colleagues is just as helpful.

Thank you for supporting me, the other volunteers and most importantly, the people of Ukraine.