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Storage boxes from Rapid Racking have helped support Wiltshire-based volunteers in their efforts to get food and medical supplies to Ukraine.
When the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, a Pewsey-based volunteer group assembled to immediately respond to the call for aid.
In 2022 Simon and John, two members of the volunteer group Direct Aid to Ukraine, flew to Krakow, Poland, to help with the refugee crisis. Their support mission later led them to the Ukrainian boarder to help direct food to the point of need. As the demand for supplies increased, so did the efforts of the volunteers.
The volunteer group responded to the demand for medical supplies by manufacturing 500 first aid kits and delivering them personally to the Ukrainian emergency services. After transporting the kits, the group made contact with a medic in Kyiv who said they were in dire need of vehicles fit for medical transport. Since then, Direct Aid for Ukraine has been fundraising and supplying medical equipment and transport vehicles as part of their direct aid mission. Currently the group are fundraising for an ambulance.
Group member, Helen, sources and coordinates the team’s donations. She says that when the initiative formed the volunteers felt strongly that all donations should be taken direct to those in need in Ukraine. She says: “They feel passionately that aid should be taken direct to those who need it rather than it going into storage and shipped on at a later date.”
Since February 2022 Direct Aid to Ukraine have completed seven trips and successfully delivered three vehicles – including a fully equipped 4×4. The vehicles, along with all the donated supplies, are taken to frontline medical workers and left with them to use and distribute as necessary.
Helen comments: “Each vehicle has been loaded with specifically requested equipment, mainly for frontline medics but also for people on the way. This includes first aid equipment, defibrillators, and stretchers amongst other emergency medical requirements. They have also taken generators, clothing and a rotavator for a family who had lost everything, including their livelihood in the war.
“The vehicles have been donated and fundraised for, then driven directly into Ukraine and left with the medics for their use. They have been taken as far as the Donbas region. The medics conduct casualty extraction from within the front line. It has often been difficult to find suitable donated vehicles and inevitably they have to be bought.”
A difficulty encountered with the storage donations were the lack of durable containers to hold the supplies during transit, and whilst in use by the frontline medical teams. Liaising back with the group Simon requested robust, stackable, water resistant and lidded boxes. Helen said: “Conditions are often muddy, dirty and dusty and the equipment needs to be kept clean. I looked for companies who sold suitable boxes and came up with Rapid Racking which appeared to supply just what we needed. I was thrilled when they agreed to help.”
Helen was put in contact with Rapid Racking’s Head of Product and Services, Tom Ellis. Tom sourced and delivered 10 Clear Distribution Containers with integral lids, and a batch of hand sanitiser.
She adds: “The boxes were used to take the equipment out to Ukraine, and they were delivered direct to medics who are working on the front line. Others were posted within the local postal system loaded with medical supplies for the areas which were considered too dangerous for Simon to go to. They arrived safely and were thrilled with them.”
Tom Ellis, Head of Product and Services, says: “We were more than happy to donate to this incredible group. Their actions are very admirable – it’s the least we could do. Thank you to Helen and her team. Rapid Racking is pleased we could support this mission.”
Donations of 4x4s, AWD cars and vans are still being desperately sought by Direct Aid to Ukraine. They are also looking for a trailer.
Donations can be made either through the group’s gofundme page or by phoning Simon direct on 07971222440.
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