Boris Johnson has teamed up with Droitwich Spa Hospital to launch an urgent appeal for Ukraine.
The hospital, part of Circle Health Group, has launched an appeal for medical supplies for hospitals in Ukraine.
Former Prime Minister Johnson visited Circle's warehouse in Enfield, where supplies donated by Droitwich Spa Hospital have been gathered.
There, he met with the Ukrainian ambassador to find out how the operation works and is now urging people to give generously to the appeal.
Mr Johnson said: “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.
“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.”
READ MORE: Droitwich hospital helps deliver medical supplies to Ukraine
READ MORE: Here's what Worcester MP thinks Boris Johnson's legacy will be in Worcester
This appeal comes as hospitals in Ukraine risk running out of vital items such as bandages and defibrillators within weeks.
Droitwich Spa Hospital, alongside Circle’s 54 other hospitals, has renewed its commitment to supporting Ukrainian medics as long as the crisis continues.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, nearly 300 tonnes (£3 million worth) of medical supplies have been delivered across Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Lviv and Kherson.
Circle’s latest lorry load departed from Enfield on Sunday, November 27, destined for newly liberated Kherson, and Odessa.
Paolo Pieri, CEO of Circle Health, said: “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."
A spokesperson for The Droitwich Spa Hospital, added: “Everyone at Droitwich Spa has been moved by the terrible events unfolding in Ukraine we and the community in Droitwich are proud to renew our commitment to medical colleagues in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Lviv and Kherson.”
As part of the appeal, items are gathered from each of Circle’s 55 hospitals and loaded at their Enfield warehouse.
Employees then volunteer to drive the loads across Europe right into war-torn areas of Ukraine.
Items delivered to date include hundreds of wheelchairs, crutches, scrubs, bandages, ambulances, operating tables, hospital beds, ventilators, anaesthetic machines and prosthetics.
Professor Rostyslav Smachylo, a specialist hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon from Kharkiv, said: “We are seeing increasing numbers of elderly people who stayed in the city but have been injured as a result of the violence taking place around them.
“We lack a lot of equipment needed to cope with the volume of patients we are seeing with particularly complex injuries and conditions.
“The hospital has also seen windows blown out and structural damage.
“Knowing that we have allies in Britain and the support of the British stiffens our resolve – we are incredibly grateful, and we ask that you don't forget us.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here