Aid organised by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign has reached NGPU miners’ union rescue workers helping victims of Russian bombing

In May the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign received an appeal for help from the Independent Trade Union of Mineworkers of Ukraine (NPGU) of the 10th Mining Rescue Squad in the Donetsk region.  

The Mining Rescue Service wrote that alongside saving miners in accidents they now: ‘provided assistance in clearing debris, extinguishing fires, and rescuing residents of settlements in the Donetsk region, whose houses were damaged by Russian shelling. Ukrainian rescuers, facing huge challenges and risks every day, demonstrate unwavering bravery and dedication to the task of saving people. However, in times of war, they need aid: uniforms, personal protective equipment and special equipment.’

Our campaign launched an appeal to secure for the Rescue Squad Personal Protective Equipment and resources the needed.

We are pleased to report that two loads of equipment have now been delivered to the NGPU’s 10th Mining Rescue Squad.

This included much of the aid requested:

Protective equipment: helmets, fireproof gloves, safety boots and uniforms as used by the fire services, professional flashlights, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.

We have also sent 10 specialist stretchers at £1000 each, with additional equipment for spinal injuries.

Our campaign sends a special thank you to the GMB union, nationally and several regions who donated finances, and to the  East Midlands Region who transported Fire Service uniforms donated by volunteer aid worker Grant Smith in Nottingham. 

A big thank you to Simon Hunter in Derry whose the Company ‘Hunters’ donated extensive PPE, and to Resmar Ltd, Safety Equipment Suppliers who donated Fire extinguishers.

We are grateful to Jamile Siddiqui of our friends at World Extreme Medicine, who obtained specialist stretchers and other medical aid.

Anatoly Chornyi of the NGPU

All of the above was delivered by Christopher Ford and Sacha Ismail of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, along with a vehicle to the 80th Air Assault Brigade.  Then with the much-appreciated assistance of Alex and Imogen of the NGO ‘UK Friends of Ukraine’.

The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign will continue to stand in support of the trade unionists on the front line and as best possible to provide the humanitarian aid and the assistance we can to the Ukrainian workers in the Armed Forces.