Tyneside doctor sends frontline aid to Ukraine

A Tyneside doctor is helping support his homeland by delivering vital ambulances and vehicles to Ukraine.

Dr. Anatoliy Telpov, an emergency department doctor at South Tyneside District Hospital, who is originally from Ivano-Frankivsk in Western Ukraine, has coordinated the latest delivery of three vehicles to the front line. 

This includes a fully equipped frontline ambulance for a military hospital, a Land Rover 4x4 ambulance for a frontline brigade, and a 17-seat minibus from the Empire School of Boxing in Blyth to transport personnel and supplies.

Dr. Telpov, who now lives in Whitley Bay and has already made several trips to deliver ambulances personally from the UK to the Polish border, said: “This project focuses on getting evacuation vehicles directly to frontline brigades and hospitals. 

“The aim is to create an efficient chain so that wounded soldiers can be quickly evacuated and reach medical care faster. 

“The vehicles we’ve supplied over the past few years have already saved many lives – soldiers who might otherwise have died from their injuries.

“We know these vehicles make a real difference.”

FSNE Medical Group, led by Craig and Melissa Douglas, donated the two ambulance vehicles, continuing their support of Dr. Telpov’s humanitarian efforts. 

Craig added: “This will be the third and fourth vehicle we’ve donated.

“We’ve built a great relationship with Anatoliy and believe strongly in what he’s doing to help people on the front line. 

“The ambulance is a full NHS-spec vehicle with all the essential equipment, and the Land Rover 4x4 will help reach patients in hard-to-access areas.”

Margaret Welsh, from the Empire School of Boxing also contributed the minibus, packed with essential supplies.

She added: “The bus is packed with medical supplies, baby items, nappies, food, socks – anything we could think of that might help.

“Our bus is due to be replaced and we decided we could pass this on to people who need it far more than we do. 

“The people of Blyth and the wider community have really got behind this, with donations coming from other local charities and supporters.”

Fundraising efforts have also been supported by Paul Lysaght of Durham Boxing Charity ‘Go the Distance’, who raised nearly £3000 at a boxing show earlier this year, while Irene and Dzmitry Babrovich helped repair the Land Rover and provided sleeping bags for frontline brigades.

Paul said: “We’ve used the funds to buy sleeping bags and other supplies for the trip to Ukraine. 

“It’s been amazing to see the boxing community come together for such an important cause.”

The vehicles are being driven to Ukraine by Ronnie Kane and Daniel Chapman from North East Ambulance Service, alongside Callum Garton from FSNE and Dean Preston of Mardem Boxing Club. 

All deliveries are tracked to ensure they reach their intended destinations safely, with Ukrainian national television also covering the deliveries to raise awareness and encourage further support.

Dr. Telpov added: “It’s important that people see what’s being done – not just here in the UK but across Europe. 

“Every donation, every vehicle, brings us closer to saving lives and, ultimately, to peace.”

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