TEDDINGTON’S MIGHTY CONVOY JOINS NEW HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO UKRAINE
A new charity partnership launching today will save more lives in Ukraine by delivering urgent medical aid to the sick and injured.
The Teddington-based Mighty Convoy, the International Christian Medical and Dental Association, and the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine are joining forces to create a new fundraising and direct action campaign called the Convoy of Hope
This support is needed “now more than ever,” says Lieutenant Mykhaylo Korchynskyy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The announcement comes after President Trump declared the US was stopping military aid to Ukraine in the aftermath of the Oval Office fallout between him and President Zelenskyy but has since announced he is close to an agreement over Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
The new humanitarian aid partnership, announced at a special event at Westminster, will deliver ambulances full of medical aid and lorry loads of vital supplies to where it is most needed in Ukraine.
Mighty Convoy, based in Cambridge Road, Teddington, is a not-for-profit organisation whose volunteers drive ambulances and trucks filled with medical supplies to teams on the ground in Ukraine.
In the UK right now, vital medical supplies that cannot be used in the NHS but are desperately needed in Ukraine are being incinerated due to a lack of transport available to deliver them.
A significant proportion of humanitarian aid arriving in Ukraine is donated, funded and transported by small organisations and charities.
By pooling fundraising, medical, logistical and freight expertise, this new partnership will enable more wounded people to be rescued and hundreds of tonnes of critical donated aid from the international medical community to be delivered.
Lieutenant Mykhaylo Korchynskyy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said: “We are at a critical turning point for Ukraine. International support is needed now more than ever to save Ukrainian lives – and a large part of the humanitarian aid we receive comes from small charities and organisations.
“Charitable action from organisations like Mighty Convoy, ICMDA and the CMAU is absolutely invaluable to the Ukrainian cause, helping sick and injured civilians and soldiers alike.
“Without these donated supplies and the means to move them, many will die from their illnesses or injuries.
“I urge the international community to support this valuable cause to ensure that this desperately-needed support reaches those who need it most.”
Lieutenant Korchynskyy was a qualified lawyer when he volunteered to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2022.
He has served as platoon leader for one of Ukraine’s combat military units, primarily fighting in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
He is now a senior officer at the Main Directorate of Military Justice and a student of international arbitration at Kings College London under the supervision of the Ukrainian embassy.
Dr Rudi Myhovych, President of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine said: “I have seen first-hand how the supplies and vehicles donated and delivered by Mighty Convoy and ICMDA so far have made a huge difference and saved lives in war-torn parts of our country.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone whose support has made this possible, but unfortunately our teams continue to face unimaginable challenges on the ground.
“We are proud to be joining this charity partnership today and look forward to working with Mighty Convoy and ICMDA to deliver more life-saving medical aid to both citizens and to the front line.”
Simon Brake, Founder of Might Convoy, said: “Every day, the need in Ukraine is enormous, and the harsh winter is only making things worse.
“Without funding to cover the costs of transport and emergency vehicles able to deal with the harsh terrain, vitally needed aid is not reaching the people who need it most.
“With help from our supporters, and this partnership, Mighty Convoy can continue to use our transport expertise and volunteer drivers to get supplies from the warehouse to where they are urgently needed.
“We are more powerful together. If people get involved, more lives can now be saved.”
Peter Saunders, Chief Executive of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA), said: “The international medical community has responded generously, with significant donations of surplus medical supplies, equipment and medicines.
“However, in Ukraine, all types of medical supplies are still in short supply and desperately needed.
“Every day we are working with our partners to locate new donations of materials from the NHS, private care sector and medical supply companies.
“We are asking our community of donors of supplies to redouble their support for Ukraine and give surplus items to Ukraine rather than dispose of them to auction, landfill or incineration.
“Together, we can make sure valuable supplies are not wasted but are donated in the UK and reach the injured and those in need of medical help.”
About Mighty Convoy
Mighty Convoy is run entirely by volunteers. Since its launch it has delivered 44 ambulances, 4X4s and pick-up trucks to Ukraine as part of eleven convoys. It has raised over £300,000 from generous donors and delivered more than 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid on the ground in Ukraine.