Caithness appeal way to send vital medical supplies to Ukraine
Efforts are under way in Caithness to gather vital first-aid equipment for civilians caught up in the war in Ukraine, almost one year on from the Russian invasion.
Ashley Ann's base in Wick is acting as a collection point for donated medical kits and the company will also be playing a part in transporting them to where they are needed.
The appeal is being led locally by Steve Gibson, a former health and safety manager at Ashley Ann.
He is supporting the work of humanitarian aid volunteers Jack Vincent and Terry Rumble, who are undertaking a series of trips from the UK to Ukraine. Steve's connection with Terry goes back to 1971 when they joined the RAF together and they are in touch through social media.
Next Friday marks the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, there had been almost 19,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine up until last Sunday – 7199 killed and 11,756 injured.
Steve (68), who lives at Bilbster, served in the RAF for 25 years. He ran a health and safety consultancy with a business partner before moving to Caithness and he spent five years working for Ashley Ann.
He hopes local businesses will be able to donate any first-aid supplies they have that have passed their use-by dates. Equipment that no longer meets health and safety requirements in this country can still be put to good use in a war zone, he points out.
“Anything is better than doing nothing," Steve said. "Terry teamed up with Jack and they are doing runs to Ukraine with humanitarian aid.
"I was getting all the information on Facebook and wondering if I could do something to help.
“They are doing things like buying old or unused ambulances, filling them up and driving them across to Ukraine.
"Medical supplies are the easiest to move. If you've got a bullet hole in you, the last thing you look at is what the sell-by date is on the bandage. It doesn't really come into their equation.”
Steve explained that Terry and Jack managed to tow a field kitchen to Ukraine and are also fundraising.
"I know that what is donated to Terry and Jack actually makes it to where it is needed because they take it," he said. "Each time they go they come back with a new list of what is required.
"Being a health and safety manager, I was responsible for first-aid kits being in-date and I have to say that I threw away many items of first aid. There must be lots of companies that maybe don't realise their bandages are out of date.
"Terry said they wanted any out-of-date bandages that they could get, mainly because the good stuff was going to the front line and the small hospitals and children's homes were left with very little."
Ashley Ann, which designs and manufactures kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, is providing a collection point next to the café entrance at the rear of its factory at Wick Airport Industrial Estate during office hours.
Steve explained: "I approached Ashley Ann and asked if they would be prepared to help by being a drop-off point for first-aid kits. They readily agreed, and also said that if there was spare room on their transport to Manchester they would move it there where Terry would pick it up."
The Pulteney Centre has offered to take in boxes as well.
A local medical practice has donated some out-of-date supplies and Steve is encouraging local businesses or clubs to help if they can.
"Even if it's a small amount, please take it to one of the drop-off points," he said.
He added: "I've had offers of a generator, several bicycles and countless tools, all of which are desperately needed. As yet I can't transport them, but I would be prepared to drive them down myself if transport could be found."
Ashley Ann's joint managing director Scott Bremner said: “Ashley Ann are delighted to support Steve Gibson in his effort to supply aid to those suffering in the Ukraine war.”
