A NORTH EAST doctor who was born in Ukraine has helped raise thousands of pounds for his home country.
Stockton medic Vladyslav Vovk, who lived in Ukraine as a child, is working with Medical Aid Ukraine North East to raise funds and collect supplies.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital where Dr Vovk works, is backing his appeal and has raised more than £2,000 to help refugees fleeing the war-hit country.
Read more: Ukrainian doctor in North East issues plea for supplies
The trust has pledged to help with the collection of clothes and medical equipment, which will be shipped to the Polish border with Ukraine, and raising money to support people suffering in the war.
The Northern Echo spoke to Dr Vovk last week when he issued a plea asking for people in the North East for help.
Read more: Ukraine Medical Aid North East get vital medical supplies
Renewing that plea, he said: “I am shocked and horrified at what is going on in my country.
“Hospitals are in need of supplies and equipment. Rather than feel totally powerless, I want to play my part to help.
“Working with the trust, we are working hard to gather items and funding to help the country and its people.”
The 26-year-old has family in the country including a cousin who is a paediatric doctor who works in Kyiv and a grandmother who lives in a town in Western Ukraine.
Medical Aid Ukraine North East has been inundated with donations since it was launched last week.
All goods donated will be packaged and transported to the Poland border.
He said: “This is somewhere where I grew up before moving to the UK as a child. It’s where I still have so many family and friends.
“I have a cousin who is a doctor and helping injured people, another cousin with a six-month-old baby who has had to flee from her home and a grandmother who is 90 and lives alone.
“This is scary – I’m worried what this situation could become.
“I urge everyone to do what they can to help.
“Every penny people give to our cause will go towards those innocent people in such desperate need in my homeland.”
Read more: Ferryhill man delivering medical supplies to Ukraine hospital
NTH Solutions, the trust’s subsidiary company and who manage estates services for the organisation, are helping lead the donation of supplies and equipment.
Mike Worden, managing director, said: “As an organisation, we have a duty to do all we can to help those in need in the Ukraine.
“We are currently working with our suppliers to quickly identify supplies we will be able to send across.
“Although it can feel like we are powerless at a world level, we can all play our part in relation to the things that are within our control, and if everyone does this, I believe it adds up to a significant impact.”
Deepak Dwarakanath, the trust’s medical director, said: “As an organisation, we are shocked at the situation unfolding in the Ukraine.
“So many innocent people are needlessly and tragically losing their lives, while so many millions of others in neighbouring countries – including in Russia – are severely impacted by this ongoing crisis.
“As one of the largest employers in the region – with staff and members of our community directly affected – we feel duty bound to do all we can to help.
“I urge anyone who can, to please make a donation to our collection and help make a difference.”
To donate to the Trust’s fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/UkraineNTH
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