Saffron Walden Rotary Club, with the help of 25 volunteers, has sent nine tonnes of unwanted medical supplies to Ukraine.
The supplies left the local hub in a forty-feet trailer loaded to capacity with mobility aids, wheelchairs, beds, paediatric physio equipment and other medical equipment - all collected by Rotarians and their friends over recent months.
The recently-opened hub is used to store items before they are sent to the charity PhysioNet's depot in Yorkshire, where repairs are made before they are shipped around the world.
However Rotarians learnt of a lorry returning to Ukraine, and, after the hub became full, Rotary project coordinator Ed Netsel seized the opportunity to assemble a group of volunteers to undertake the manual loading operation.
The Ukrainian volunteer driver is heading to the Sumy Regional Veterans Clinical Hospital. Sumy is a city of regional significance in north-eastern Ukraine, 30 miles from the Russian border, which was recaptured by Ukraine in April 2022.
Ed, who is also a PhysioNet trustee, said: "Our van is out most weeks collecting equipment and we had so much that we needed volunteers to help load a lorry that became available.
"The response to my call for support was fantastic with over 25 people, including members of Saffron Walden Rugby Club and Round Table, kindly giving up a Saturday morning to load the lorry in cold and wet conditions.
"I thank everyone for their help; it was very special."
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The unwanted and redundant mobility and medical equipment was collected from hospitals, medical centres and special schools throughout East Anglia, London and the south east.
Chairman of PhysioNet David Kaye said: "Having Saffron Walden Rotarians as partners is a real bonus as they are so active in obtaining a large supply of medical equipment that helps those with disabilities around the world.
"Having Edward as a trustee strengthens our management team and from seeing this loading operation I am very appreciative of all that the volunteers did and for the new storage unit."
Ed added: "I'm so pleased to be associated with this project and am thankful for the ongoing commitment of my fellow Rotarians and volunteers."
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