We departed on 26th September 2024, 21 drivers, 7 jeeps, an ambulance, a truck and a minibus, another 3,000-kilometre overland trip. All of the vehicles were filled with medical supplies and other urgently needed equipment that will help save lives and support local people.
In Ukraine the primary function of the jeeps is to ferry injured soldiers from the frontline to trauma hospitals, about 5km behind the fighting. Each jeep will last on average only 90 days before they break up or are blown up.
The Ambulance was donated to a hospital in Kolomaya, full of urgently needed trauma equipment, drugs, surgical supplies and bandages.
The truck was given over to a local Ukrainian charity Breaking the Chains, which rescues injured and abandoned animals inside the war zone. The mostly dogs and cats housed in the sanctuary are also helping to rehabilitate seriously injured soldiers. The truck was packed with veterinary and animal supplies and foodstuffs, also rehabilitation equipment for the injured soldiers.
All of the vehicles and contents have been very generously donated by hospitals, medical practices, businesses, private individuals, and the traveling team of drivers, over €500,000 in total value.
The minibus was donated to an orphanage near Lviv supported by Irish Charity Effective Aid Ukraine. There are over 80 residents living there, all special needs, boys from 5 to adult. The minibus is jammed, floor to ceiling with winter clothes, shoes, foodstuffs, sanitary & hygiene goods, tools for maintaining the orphanage and some crafts & toys.
Music, the last night bridge….
On the last night in Lviv a small concert for peace put together by Nathan Johnston who looks after The Bridge Artist and Music relationships.
Nathan was joined on stage by Ukrainian singer Tetyana Shyshnyak who travelled from Rome and Ukrainian Band Panchyshyn & SVIT. Each played solo sets before singing together and singing John Lennon’s, Imagine. Wow, wonderful, we can dream of peace.
In October 2023 THE BRIDGE team organized its first volunteer trip to Ukraine, securing corporate sponsorship in addition to private donations.
The funding enabled THE BRIDGE to purchase three 4 X 4 jeeps and fill them with over €50,000 of donated medical supplies and equipment.
There was incredible support from private doners and a multiple of hospitals that provided essential medical supplies.
A 3,000 kilometres drive from Dublin to Ukraine
The Irish team of 8, took turns at the wheel. We met up with a Jeeps for Peace convoy in Hull in the UK and together the 48 jeeps and team of 60 drove overland through Holland, Germany, Poland and then into Ukraine.
The jeeps are being used to save lives, ferrying injured soldiers and civilian casualties from the frontline to hospital.
The medical supplies included bandages which are in short supply on the battlefield and a multiple of aids including wheelchairs and crutches that can help soldiers’ rehabilitation.
A beautiful musical moment
While in Ukraine the team were treated to a concert from secondary school students in Koloyama, the students welcoming us guests with a rendition of All we are saying is give peace a chance by John Lennon. The power of music in a warzone, the ordinary people only want peace, a safe place for their families. This was an emotional moment.
The volunteer team are returning to Ukraine in September 2025.
Once again, we partnered with Jeeps For Peace, the Scottish humanitarian group founded by Stewart Ford, which has delivered over 600 jeeps to Ukraine. Stewart and his team provide all our logistics inside Ukraine and ensure that all donations go to trusted relationships and to people that most need our support.
We’re heading back to Ukraine on September 25th a convoy of 30 drivers, jeeps, ambulances and a minibus for a rehabilitation centre. The vehicle and medical supplies will be donated to Ukrainian communities, most in need of our support.
Here we go again. With just a few days to go we are all feeling a mixture of anxiety and exhilaration. There are so some many things that can go wrong. This is a worry keeping most of us awake at night, yet the adrenalin is also kicking in, the sense of adventure.
Jeeps for Peace have sent a convoy of 41 vehicles filled with food and medical supplies to help as Ukraine continues to fight against the Russian invasion.
We are off to a good start. We reached our fundraising goals, a combination of private and corporate donations. This generosity enabled us to acquire 3 jeeps. The jeeps were loaded with over €50,000 of donated medical supplies which were specific to the local need; dressings, bandages and drugs to keep injured soldiers alive and wheelchairs, crutches and walkers to help their rehabilitation.
Today the Ukrainian president visits to thank Americans for our support. The right kind of hospitality would be to thank Ukrainians for all that they have done for us and others. Here are ten reasons we should be grateful.
