By Josh Layton
At any given moment in Ukraine’s fight for freedom, it’s likely that one of the ambulances supplied by a small British-based charity is engaged in life-saving work.
A social club housing a clutch of communal rooms and a basement restaurant in West London has been the launchpad for a phenomenal 14-month fundraising drive.
As we gather in the sun outside, it’s hard to picture the medics and volunteers tending to the wounded in some of the worst-hit frontline areas of the warzone.
Dr Natalia Tronenko, however, is under no illusions about the difference each of the 120 donated ambulances and evacuation vehicles provided to date is making.
One of the co-founders of British-Ukrainian Aid, she is overseeing the ongoing fundraising drive that has included replacing humanitarian vehicles destroyed by Russian fire.
‘The value of ambulances and evacuation vehicles cannot be underestimated,’ Dr Tronenko says.
‘They help to save lives, as simple as that.
‘They are used by hospitals, paramedics and firemen who attend places where there have been mass casualties.
‘At the same time, the vehicles we supply have to be regarded as disposable, as they are targeted by the Russians.
‘Some of them have been damaged and repaired, while others have been destroyed altogether.’
Run solely by volunteers, the charity was set up in 2014 at the outset of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the Donbas war before its work took on a pressing urgency when Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion. The group switched its main focus from supporting disadvantaged people, including women, children and the elderly, to saving lives.
Along with the ambulances, generators and all-terrain vehicles have also been procured and sent to the warzone.
The Ukrainian Social Club acts as the meeting point while another building, in nearby Fulham, is now used as a hub to assemble first aid kits and other gear before it is sent to the frontline.
A powerful reminder of the price being paid on the battlefield — and of Ukraine’s indomitable spirit — has been delivered by Roman Kashpur.
The active Ukrainian serviceman, who uses a prosthesis after stepping on a landmine in the eastern Donbas region, is due to take on the TCS London Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for the group.
The hellish scenes he has faced with such stoicism seem far removed as I meet Dr Tronenko and other volunteers in Kensington to mark my own attempt to complete the 26.2-mile course.
‘We are privileged to have Roman’s bravery and perserverance’
Dr Natalia Tronenko
‘Roman is incredible and we are so grateful for his effort, bravery and perseverance,’ Dr Tronenko says.
‘He is running the London Marathon using his prosthesis to raise awareness of injured people who have sadly lost limbs, it’s just such an honourable and brave thing to do.
‘We are very privileged to have people like Roman supporting such an important cause.’
My cousin Amy Ingram and I will also be running for British-Ukrainian Aid as the Kremlin’s unrelenting assault continues to exact a heavy price in lives on both sides. Funded entirely by donations, the grassroots charity is redoubling its efforts in sending supplies to the frontline ahead of a much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The life-saving support also includes first-aid packs, stretchers and mass casualty training for medical staff. A core group of nine volunteers anchors a wider network of around 50 people.
On the ground, ambulances still with UK markings continue to be passed by volunteer drivers to Ukrainian civilians and military groups, including the newly-formed 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade.
In Dr Tronenko’s view, there is more than just Ukrainian sovereignty at stake in supporting those risking their lives for the country.
‘The war is not a regional war,’ she says.
‘It’s about a change in the world order and the distribution of forces of good and evil in the world. That’s why it’s so important to support Ukraine.
‘The democracies supplying Ukraine with weapons are really defending themselves. A victory for the Ukrainians displaying their courage and bravery supported with Western supplies would be a win-win for everyone supporting this cause.’
Dr Tronenko is originally from Kyiv but has lived in the UK for the last 30 years, running the charity around her professional role as a linguist.
Amid the horrors of the unrelenting Russian attack, the charity leader has been lifted by the British generosity that will be on show as Roman joins around 50,000 people taking to the streets on Sunday.
‘I have feelings of anger, outrage and injustice at what is happening but at the same time there’s a sense of gratitude to the British people for their support and understanding,’ she says.
‘There’s a feeling of resolve to go on until we win and for Ukrainian voices to do everything to be heard and to help the British public to understand the importance of being on the right side of history.’
Support the London Marathon runners
Much Ado Warwickshire 