How to help us?
We also need help sorting and loading aid and are very happy to hear from possible drivers…
Do please get in touch!
Frequently asked questions
Please email us with any observations, questions or requests at the following two addresses:
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Firstly, thank you! People like you have helped us to deliver 33 aid-filled ambulances (as of the end of July 2023) to Ukraine since Russia's full-blown invasion in February 2022. Russia's tactics have included targetting civilian infrastructure and healthcare - a war crime. By providing ambulances (and the aid they contain) we help to redress the balance. Our ambulances are delivered to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health which swiftly delivers them to civilian hospitals near the front line which really need them. We are connected with numerous hospitals (such as Ukraine's prosthetics centre of excellence - the Unbroken project in Lviv) as well as the Ministry of Health and have their latest list of needs. The aid we take is what is needed and through you we will deliver it to where it is needed most. Our volunteer drivers are absolutely essential to what we do. Not only do you deliver the ambulances but you also fundraise and together form a community that is steadfastly opposed to the appalling aggression and human rights abuses being inflicted on Ukrainians by Putin's forces. Here are some of the questions that we are often asked by people considering driving with us:
Typically we leave SW London very early on a Sunday morning, crossing the Channel by Eurotunnel Freight (they give us free tickets ...) and stopping overnight in eastern Germany near the border with Poland on the Sunday night. A second long day’s driving sees us arriving near the Polish border with Ukraine on the Monday night. The trip ends there as the FCDO advises against all travel to Ukraine - it is a war zone after all! We will arrange volunteer drivers from Ukraine to collect the ambulances and deliver them to Ministry of Health aid depots in Lviv or Kyiv for onward delivery to civilian hospitals that desperately need them near the front line. Although nothing is guaranteed (this is an aid convoy rather than a holiday, after all!), if you do not drive into Ukraine typically it would be safe to book a flight back from Krakow or Rzeszów on the Tuesday afternoon. In any discussion about itinerary it's really important to emphasise that our priorities are safety, mission success and enjoyment in that order. We cannot guarantee that there won't be breakdowns, that border crossings will be smooth or that nothing else will go wrong. Whilst it's the things that go wrong that make the stories we all enjoy telling it does mean that we cannot guarantee what time you'll be able to catch a flight home. We encourage everyone to add at least a day into their schedule (especially if they choose to enter Ukraine) as we simply will not compromise on our priorities in order to make a flight. We do hope that you understand.
As we mention, the FCDO advises against all travel to Ukraine. The risks of entering Ukraine include death, mutilation, capture and torture as well as a variety of serious psychological injuries. Anyone who enters Ukraine does so entirely at their own risk. You must not be in any way blasé about the risks. They are very real. If, having reached the border with Ukraine you judge it safe to do so - and take full responsibility for your decision - then we will not arrange a Ukrainian driver and you can continue the journey. If at any time you change your mind you are free immediately to leave. We will cope even if you leave your ambulance at the border or at the side of the road. Those who drive into Ukraine typically drive to Lviv (less than two hours from the border) and can either stay to meet local medical personnel, have a meal and stay in Lviv overnight or return to the border that afternoon. If you choose to drive to Lviv then it is likely (not guaranteed!) that you will be able to fly out of Poland late on the Wednesday afternoon.
We buy ambulances in the UK market which have been used either in NHS or private ambulancefleets. Some have "blues and twos" (lights and sirens!) and others do not. All are hugely valuable to the Ukrainian health service. They can have up to about 250k miles on the clock (they are designed for far more), are typically manuals and can be driven on a standard UK driving licence.Each of them has undergone extensive mechanical checks and remediation before they set off. As a result our ambulances have excellent reliability but one - maybe yours - could break down. That's one of the reasons that we like to emphasise that our itineraries are only indicative ... In terms of driving, ambulances are wider and longer than vehicles most of us have ever driven before but you get used to them pretty quickly. They have quite a high driving position but aren't as relaxing to drive as a comfortable car. We pair our volunteer drivers who then share the load, driving for a couple of hours and then swapping over at fuel or toilet stops.
We ask our volunteer drivers to raise £7k each. We estimate that an ambulance costs up to £15k to buy, recondition and deliver. Many of our drivers exceed this target and any excess is spent on medical supplies, other aid, other useful vehicles or even cranes (to enable rescuers to reach civilians trapped under the rubble of buildings brought down by the Russian bombardment).
You would be surprised! Ambulances really strike a chord with potential donors. It is immensely powerful for friends, family and past and present colleagues to know that someone they know is going to be driving a life-saving vehicle across Europe to help ordinary people survive the Russian war machine. Photographs of you with an ambulance on social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and even the likes of LinkedIn) will really energise people to give. Although Medical Life Lines Ukraine is not itself a charity we have charity partners in the UK, US and Canada to enable tax payers in these countries to receive the full tax benefit of their donations. We also have fundraising pages set up on GoFundMe and similar sites to ease the process of giving and can also receive large donations direct to a charitable bank account to avoid paying platform fees.
Assuming that you raise at least the minimum £7k (or are on track to do so when you leave) then he costs of your fuel, hotel bills and food can be met out of charitable funds (as well as the ambulance of course!). Drivers bear their return airfare, any costs incurred after the ambulances are delivered and their drinks bills (especially on the final night!).
We would not suggest staying in Ukraine any longer than you absolutely need to but some drivers have stayed in Kyiv for a couple of nights after the ambulances have been delivered. This is of course entirely a matter for you. Southern Poland has a number of wonderful cities to visit (including Krakow, Rzeszów and Przemysl) if you would like to take the opportunity to do some sightseeing once your ambulance has been delivered. Building in some sight-seeing also enables you to decompress (after what can be quite an emotionally intense experience) and gives you much greater certainty that any flight that you book before departure will be one that you are actually able to take!
Each of our convoys is led by an experienced Team Leader. Your TL has the ultimate responsibility to decide what happens and when. Driving across Europe in two days is tiring and it is quite possible that tempers may fray - especially if the unexpected occurs (perhaps a breakdown, medical emergency or some form of delay). If this happens the TL will solicit views but all of the volunteer drivers must accept that his or her decision will be final.
We have a fully comprehensive fleet insurance policy. You will be sent a questionnaire to complete to ensure that you come within its terms. If you do not automatically come within itsterms then we refer you to our underwriters who have approved all drivers we have so far suggested to them. We do not arrange breakdown cover but some drivers already have RAC or AA breakdown cover that covers Europe and is personal to them.
We arrange regular “driver experience days” in Wimbledon on which you will be able to meet the organisers as well as past and future drivers and ask any questions that you may have. We try to ensure that we have at least one ambulance available for you to drive and have your photograph taken with. It really helps to make it feel very real indeed! Do email us at the details below if you would like to come along.
Absolutely! We recognised that driving isn’t for everyone but our group needs far more than drivers… We always need money so if you are able to make a donation of any size it would be very much appreciated. We also need volunteers to help load ambulances before they go and perform the many other tasks that often go unseen but are essential to what we do. If this appeals (or you have other special skills that you would like to offer to us) again please do get in touch.
What you can do
Ambulances cost some £15,000 to buy, recondition and deliver to Ukraine. A crane costs far more. We need your help supporting our fundraising, either by sponsorship, direct donations to one of our charity partners in the US, UK and Australia (and elsewhere!) or by helping with our fundraising activities. We are very happy to hear from prospective drivers, who are tasked with raising a minimum of £7000…
Please contact us at ambulance2ukraine@gmail.com to support us or with any questions. See above!
