A local volunteer is driving to Ukraine in July to deliver an emergency vehicle and medical supplies to the war-torn country.
Martyn Starnes, chief executive of Frome Town Football Club, will travel to the western side of the country with volunteers from Medical Life Lines Ukraine, covering 1,200 miles over three and a half days.
“The situation in Ukraine is very dangerous and very volatile, particularly near the front line,” said Martyn, who also completed the journey in 2024.
“They’re in constant need of emergency vehicles to take not only the military but civilians to hospital and there is a never-ending demand for these vehicles.
“When we arrive, we hand them over to the locals to be positioned wherever they need to go throughout the country.
“There is a regular supply of vehicles coming out of the NHS, St John Ambulance and the military and some of the vehicles are converted Land Rovers so they can do rough ground work.”
Martyn will be part of a team of six people from across the world driving the vehicles from London. The group will meet for the first time on the morning of departure.
“In 2024, I was paired with an American man called Rich Lefler and we got on really well,” said Martyn. “He has expressed the wish to go again and I think we’re both going to be in the same vehicle again this time around, which will be nice.
“The camaraderie among the group is fantastic. There is a common goal and a shared purpose. We got on really well. We stop every two or three hours for a comfort break and refreshments, swap over driving and chat with colleagues. We then meet in the hotel, have a meal together and exchange stories and backgrounds.”
Martyn said he was compelled to join the trip after seeing news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2023.
“I thought how dreadful it must be to have your country attacked in this way by the Russians and I thought about whether there was something I could do,” he said.
As part of the trip, he must raise £7,000, which goes towards buying a second-hand ambulance. In total, the charity has driven 130 ambulances to Ukraine with medical supplies and equipment.
To donate to Martyn’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/page/martyn-starnes-4
Pictured: Martyn (right) with Rich Lefler during the 2024 journey to Ukraine
