As the group of tireless fundraisers, headed by ‘The Poor Man’s Band’, admits: it didn’t expect for one minute to still being raising money for the Ukrainian War Ambulance Fund four years on from the full-scale Russian invasion.
But here we are, almost four years to the day that Russian tanks rolled over the border, still seeing Ukraine being pummeled by missiles on a daily, and nightly, basis.
The need for 4x4s – and ‘hospital ambulance’ vehicles converted from municipal buses – under the Oranta, official Ukrainian charity, umbrella is thus still as necessary as it was four years ago.
To date, Oranta president Roman Grymalyuk has converted no less than 28 vehicles to help on his birth country’s front line. Many companies and entities have done what they can to help – with TAP regularly flying drivers who transport the converted vehicles to Poland back home to Portugal.
As fund-raisers explain, it is rare to meet the people Oranta has been able to help – but last October, nine young volunteer soldiers travelled to the Algarve (on the invitation of a member of the public) to recharge their batteries. “It was a humbling experience to speak with them and listen to their stories,” said one of the fund-raising stalwarts.
The young men all have day jobs which they leave at night to sit in bunkers “ready to risk their lives to rescue wounded soldiers using the ambulances Oranta has helped provide.”
These young men knew all about the residents of the Algarve, she said, and the support that has been given – and were “just so grateful”.
As a result, another fund-raising lunch has been organised – sponsored by Pestana Hotel group at Vale da Pinta Golf course on Sunday March 15.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Portugal, Maryna Mykhailenko, and Ukraine’s first minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, will be attending, and hopes are for an enthusiastic attendance.
Starting at 12.30, the Spring Charity Lunch will have three courses, wine and drinks throughout the meal, raffles and prize draws donated by Algarve businesses and “The Poor Man´s Band” providing timeless rock and roll.
For more information call Angela Broad. Tickets for the event are €45 per head.
Call or text to 919272623 or email: – angelambroad@live.com
