Project 18 - Medical Supplies

Ray Allen, one of the “Ukrainian 3” who delivered our first project of generators to Ukraine back in January, has returned from another trip. Whilst we did not fund this, we support it.

Ray is a Consultant Anaesthetist with over 40 years of active duty, now retired, but in no way out of action.  He has a heart to serve and has for many years been coordinating the collection of surplus medical equipment from across NI and RoI. Collaborating with likeminded charities they transport these, typically to Christian Mission hospitals across the world. Well over 200 to date and still counting.  

So, it is not surprising that when the war began the call came to send what he could to Ukraine.

In June Ray and 5 colleagues loaded up 3 vans and set off for the Ukrainian border in Poland. They had 4.5 tonnes of supplies on board, items specifically requested by those in need.

Driving 10 hours per day for a retired Anaesthetist is not what you might describe as being in his comfort zone. Together they pushed on, through all types of weather including a hailstorm of epic proportions, to arrive at the border at midnight.

A convoy of Ukrainians then reloaded the items to take over to the Kherson and Kharkiv regions in the east.

As with all forms of Christian Outreach, the sleep deprivation, the discomfort, the exposure of being out of your comfort zone, all need some tending too. God always responds.

Ray said, “a young woman came over to us on one of our coffee stops. She asked what we were doing and when we told her, she was almost overcome with emotion and praise. Makes it all worthwhile”.