A couple from Bristol are building a medical truck for Ukrainians

A couple from Bristol are building a mobile dental and medical truck to help those living in the war-torn regions of Ukraine.

Brian and Helen Hammond have been transporting aid to those in need since they set up their charity, Emergency Aid for Ukraine, in 2022.

The couple supplied five other vehicles to Ukraine, but each was for a different use.

“They don’t understand why we’re there because it’s not our fight, but they’re always grateful,” Ms Hammond said.

The vehicle was “very kindly” donated to them for £1 and they received a dental chair from Exeter.

Everything else is funded and sourced by the couple, and they are appealing for additional donations from the public.

“When this current war started, people were sending anything and that was good at first, but then there will be things they don’t need.

“So we always tell people we’re coming to this day, what do you need? If we can, we will provide it,” Ms Hammond said.

For each of their missions, the couple drove through the Channel Tunnel.

They then pass through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland before crossing the border to finally reach Kharkiv.

“On our last mission we covered 5,300 miles since we left Bristol,” Mr Hammond said.

On the way to Kharkov, they encountered bad roads and “blown bridges”, making their journey more dangerous.

Mr Hammond said he believed their “networks” in Ukraine were the roots that helped them respond quickly in difficult times.

“So one example, with the dam – when it was first blown up by the Russians, it flooded a huge area.

“All the big charities took six months to respond.

“We responded and got equipment there within 48 hours from England,” he said.

Their travels also helped them understand that soldiers are not “provided” with everything.

Mrs Hammond said: “Quite often they have to find their own uniforms, pay for their own uniforms.

“We gave the female soldiers sleeping bags and sanitary products and things like that.

“Unless you live in a war-torn country, you don’t understand the supply difficulties,” she added.

Ms Hammond said they were always touched by the gratitude of local Ukrainians.

The couple hopes to have the truck finished and driving in Ukraine by the end of July.

Like all their aid trips, they hope the vehicle will continue to help even when they’re not there.