Boris Johnson has launched a Christmas appeal to raise funds for medical supplies for Ukrainian hospitals.
Without contributions, hospitals in the war-torn country may run out of essential equipment such as bandages and defibrillators within weeks, according to the former prime minister.
Since the beginning of the conflict, he has collaborated with Circle Health, the UK’s biggest hospital company, which has sent £3 million in medical supplies in 13 truck loads to hospitals in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Kherson.
It happened after Mr Johnson was named an honorary citizen of Kyiv.
Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kiev, tweeted on Telegram: “The Kyiv City Council approved a decision to award Boris Johnson, a great friend of Ukraine, the title of honorary citizen of Kyiv.”
Mr Johnson and the Ukrainian Ambassador visited the Enfield warehouse where supplies are collected from Circle Health facilities to observe firsthand the practicalities of moving healthcare goods in bulk across Europe by truck.
He was briefed by Ukrainian physicians who were coordinating rescue operations and assisted in loading the most recent vehicle with hospital beds and anaesthesia apparatus.
Following the visit, he urged people to contribute generously to the cause.
“The great British public are renowned for their generosity of spirit – even when times are tough at home – so I’m calling on them to dig deep this Christmas and help send hope to the heroic Ukrainian medics battling to save lives by supporting Circle Health’s vital humanitarian mission,” he said.
“Not one bandage or bed you fund will go to waste in the Herculean task of rebuilding beautiful, brave Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini: the British people stand with you, this Christmas and always.”
Paolo Pieri, CEO of Circle Health, stated: “It’s so easy to get caught up in problems at home and become immune to the immense hardship facing people in Ukraine.
“As a fellow hospital operator, we are determined to stand with these Ukrainian hospitals for the long-haul. As winter sets in, new medical supplies have never been more vital, and we hope our regular shipments will help show this remarkable group of doctors that they’re not alone.”
