A SOMERSET woman grieving the loss of her husband is focussing on helping others.
Last year Harriet Ray, of West Compton, lost her husband.
As she mourned, a friend suggested a new project which may help her focus on the future.
“A girlfriend suggested I might like to become involved with the Charity Medical Life Lines Ukraine, driving an ambulance in the spring as part of a convoy bringing medical aid to the town of Lviv,” Harriet said.
“During the Bosnian conflict, I used to drive lorries every month from Croydon to central Bosnia taking food, clothes and medical supplies to beleaguered towns cut off from aid for months.
“My friend thought I would be well suited to drive to Ukraine and it would give me a purpose to focus on.”
However, before they can set off, Harriet and her co-driver must both raise £7,500 in order to purchase and recondition an ex-NHS ambulance.
“So far, I have reached out to friends and family for funding and social media,” she said. “If you would like to donate to help me on my way, I have a Gofundme account in the name of Harriet Ray.
“Please be sure to Gift Aid and put ‘referred by Harriet Ray’.”
She is also collecting donations to take to Lviv, including walking aids to help the elderly and wounded, as well as bandages, syringes and wound dressings.
“I have completed my ambulance driving training, which took place in London,” she added. “The ambulance has automatic gears which took a bit of getting used to but as I drive a large horsebox, the size and length of the ambulance was not too much of a problem.”
For more details, and to donate to Harriet’s appeal, log on to https://bit.ly/HarrietUkraine
I wish to donate a medical boot which is like new as only worn twice indoors but cannot find out where to take it?