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A Guernsey resident is currently driving across Europe in a convoy of ambulances being taken to Ukraine by volunteers working for a charity.
Ezra Machnikowski travelled to London on Saturday evening to join other volunteers brought together by Medical Life Lines Ukraine.
Mr Machnikowski and the other members of the volunteer crew left London at 05:30 on Sunday morning, travelling through France to Belgium and then Germany.
A documentary filmmaker has joined them on the trip to record the journey and to report on the efforts of volunteers working in, and for Ukraine.
674km down - quite a few to go. The team have just gone past Dortmund. We picked up @JackLaurenson this morning from Calais who’ll be filming the #convoyofhope2023 as part of a new documentary focused on volunteering efforts for Ukraine. He also takes great pictures like this. pic.twitter.com/UKpNYTZPxz
— Medical Life Lines Ukraine (@Med_LL_Ukraine) March 5, 2023
Mr Machnikowski revealed his plans to students at Blanchelande College a week ago today when he was invited to be guest speaker at the school's assembley.
He explained how Medical Life Lines Ukraine is affiliated with Harrop HR Missions Ltd which is a registered charity that has been sending fully equipped ambulances into the war-torn country.
The school - which is attended by Mr Machnikowski's children - ran a number of fundraising initiatives yesterday to support his mission. Students were able to wear Ukrainian colours to accessorise their school uniforms in exchange for a donation to the fundraising. They could also buy Ukrainian pancakes at lunchtime, and have their faces painted.
The college wants to raise enough money over the coming months to fully fund one of the ambulances which will be taken to Ukraine in a future convoy.
Blanchelande College Principal, Robert O'Brien told parents that each ambulance costs around £7,500 to purchase with a similar amount again needed to refurbish and kit it out.
Pictured: Blanchelande College Principal, Robert O'Brien.
He said: "Anything we raise will go towards this important humanitarian cause, but our dream is to be able to fully sponsor an ambulance, by raising £15,000. That is an extraordinary goal for us to aim for, but I hope we can do it."
Blanchelande students and their families had previously raised £7,000 to help those affected by Russian invasion of Ukraine which started just over a year ago.
Last year's fundraising was donated to a church-linked charity already established in the region. This year's donations will go to Medical Life Lines Ukraine which is also a registered charity.
Mr O'Brien said that as well as raising money to support the ambulance mission he has "promised Ezra our prayers for a safe and successful journey".
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