A UKRAINIAN-born nurse and her colleagues have rallied round to gather countless supplies ready to be sent from the North East to help those affected by the conflict in her home country.
Irene Babrovich was born in Chernihiv, a city in the north of the country and still has loved ones who remain in the country, which came under attack from Russia last month.
Now part of the critical care outreach team, which is based at South Tyneside Hospital, Irene is among staff from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to run collections for organisations sending on support for those affected by the crisis.
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Irene, helped by colleagues including Lisa Hobbs, has collected sleeping bags, non-perishable foods, flasks, nappies and baby food, which have been sent to help via a Newcastle business.
It comes after the Trust worked with NHS colleagues across the region to donate equipment and medical supplies to the country previously.
While staff have gathered supplies, it is asking the public to support ongoing campaigns being led by established community groups.
Mrs Babrovich said: “When the conflict started my friends and I got together and decided to do something, as doing nothing was not an option.
“The sheer frustration, helplessness and hopelessness of the situation in Ukraine, where we have either family, or friends or acquaintances got to us.
“It’s just amazing just how many things we were given.
“We need the support; we have been overwhelmed by what’s happening and want to do everything we can to help.”
Emergency Department Nurse Kate Gordon, who is also based at the same hospital, and colleagues have sent 12 carloads of items to help, while Debbie Dack, a sister F64 Paediatric Ward Manager at Sunderland Royal Hospital, collected funds from staff and friends for essentials.
Alongside the generous donations of NHS workers, Sunderland West District Nurses from the Sunderland and Community Integrated Team, based in Grindon, have also ran a collection to help efforts in the city, while the Community Integrated Team at Riverview Health Centre collected animal food to donate.
Peter Sutton, the Trust’s executive director of planning and business development, said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the situation in Ukraine.
“We are working with our colleagues directly impacted by the conflict and offering support to our staff who feel the impact of the upsetting events.
“We are extremely proud of our workforce for the care they have shown through the collections and to play our own part by making the donation of equipment and medical supplies we have sent in partnership with Trusts from the region.”
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