Bolstered by the support of the communities across Greater Victoria and beyond, Langford humanitarian group Vancouver Island Supports Ukraine has departed for the war-torn country to deliver much-needed aid.
Making the trip to Ukraine are team leader and former Langford fire chief Bob Beckett, retired RCMP staff sergeant Bruce Brown and videographer Brendan Strain.
This is the fourth trip organized by the group, who have formed connections with five western Ukrainian municipalities.
In the months before their departure, the group appealed to the community to help raise $11,000 to meet a number of goals including the provision of medical supplies, a school bus for a small rural community, used laptops for hospitals and municipalities, and diesel generators for schools and bomb shelters.
Four local donors also pledged to match any money raised up to $11,000.
“Vancouver Island Supports Ukraine is indebted to all the generous donors and those who have conveyed their support for the people of Ukraine,” said Beckett.
“Collectively we have exceeded our project objectives and expectations resulting in additional goals and projects being delivered during this deployment.”
The trio will also be visiting Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Children’s Hospital, where they will help provide equipment for a breast milk bank, which will support premature babies.
In recognition of the opening of the breast milk bank, they will present on behalf of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, a ceremonial Indigenous drum.
To find out more about the work of Vancouver Island Supports Ukraine and to donate, visit the website: https://vancouverislandsupportsukraine.ca.
