Ensignbus Directors Ross Newman (pictured, centre) and Steve Newman (pictured, left) have completed a first delivery of specifically requested medical aid bound for Ukraine to Przemysl in south-eastern Poland, from where it was immediately shipped onwards to the war-hit country. The award-winning Essex operator expects to provide further help in the future.
Plans first came about when Latvia-based group Legenda launched a campaign for aid for Ukraine. Legenda recovers missing soldiers from both World Wars on the Eastern Front and Steve Newman is a long-time active member. Legenda had looked to its international membership to get involved in relief efforts, and so both Newman family members were accompanied by Legenda Head of International Membership Matt McDermott on the trip to Poland.
Ensignbus arranged the vehicle used and the necessary logistical support. The medical aid was provided by Legenda and Hope for Ukraine UK. The delivery was the fifth made by Legenda members, following two from Latvia and one each from the Netherlands and Switzerland.
After departure on a Wednesday the three-strong team arrived in Przemysl two days later. The cargo was immediately transhipped to a Ukrainian vehicle for onwards movement later that day. Five days after leaving the UK, the items were at a Dnipro distribution centre, from where they were loaded onto local delivery vehicles for onward despatch to Kyiv or to nearby hospitals for use in the treatment of wounded people who have escaped from Mariupol.
Steve Newman describes the mission as “the very least we could do,” adding that “it certainly will not be the last help we look to give.”
“We have spoken to our Ukrainian friends and are in direct contact with them now as to what they need and where it needs to be. We will see how we can make that happen as efficiently as possible going forwards.”
Read more about Legenda’s work in Ukraine here.
