Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    07

    Mar 2022

    Last Updated: 07/03/2022
    Community
    Community

    Ripon man helping Ukraine says ambulances are being shot by Russians

    by Tim Flanagan

    | 07 Mar, 2022
    Comment

    0

    Lewis Edwards, who is at the heart of the humanitarian response to war in Ukraine, describes the 'chaotic and insane' situation in an update to the Stray Ferret.

    ripon-6th-march-2022-refugees-seeking-help-in-slovakia

    Former Ripon Grammar School student Lewis Edwards has told the Stray Ferret that ambulances in Ukraine are being attacked by Russian forces.

    This is among the latest in a growing list of breaches of the Geneva Convention committed by the invading troops, as the situation for civilians trapped in towns and cities under siege becomes more horrific and desperate by the hour.

    The targeting of the emergency vehicles follows a weekend in which fleeing refugees came under attack during a supposed ceasefire in Mariupol.

    Photo of Lewis Edwards and Tanya

    Lewis Edwards and his partner Tanya Bogdanovska pictured at Christmas in Kyiv





    Speaking from Slovakia yesterday afternoon, Mr Edwards said:

    "I got a phone call from an organisation in Ukraine saying they wanted me to try and source armoured ambulances, because the Russians have started shooting at the normal ambulances used to take injured people hospital.
    "Through contacts, I've managed to find two already and I've been phoning around asking if there is anybody who might know where we can get some more.
    "The whole situation is chaotic and insane, as the aid agencies that we are working alongside seem to be relying on us - 10 refugees - to provide logistical support, because we appear to be able to get things done that they can't."


    Volunteers in Slovakia

    Oksana Pron (left) and Kristina Simalova are part of the team sending items such as medical supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine.





    Mr Edwards, 33, and his 30-year-old Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska — both teachers who had been working at a private school in Kyiv — fled the Ukraine capital on February 25.

    After crossing the border into Slovakia a week ago, they teamed up with eight other volunteers to help people seeking sanctuary in countries including the UK.

    As well as helping refugees — mostly women and children who are arriving in Slovakia each day — they are continuing to do all that they can for Ukraine people, including friends and family, who have been unable to escape.

    In addition to sourcing ambulances, they have supplied a generator for an area without electricity and have assembled a shipment of essential medical supplies that will be setting off to Ukraine tomorrow.




    Read more:






    Fundraising continues in Ripon


    In Ripon, a gofundme page set up by Mr Edwards' family to support the work with refugees has now raised more than £11,000.

    His mother, Ali Edwards, said:

    "I'm so proud of what they are doing, helping people who have made it to safety in Slovakia, while remaining focused on those still in danger in Ukraine.
    "The attacks on ambulances that Lewis has told me about are appalling, obscene and show a total lack of humanity."


    On Saturday evening, The Magdalens pub on Princess Road, Ripon is hosting a fundraising evening to raise more money for the Ukraine Shelter run by Mr Edwards and his colleagues.

    The rock and roll bingo music quiz starts at 7.30pm and the £7.50 cost of entry includes five bingo games and a pie and peas supper. There will also be a raffle.

    Tickets can be purchased in advance at the pub, from tomorrow.