Breadcrumbs

Wales Cares sponsored hospital beds to Ukraine

#WalesCaresUkraine

In the Ukraine shortages are resulting in fatalities that could have been avoided. Lacking daily basic resources, medical equipment, and basic comforts that you would normally expect to have, such as a bed when you arrive at hospital.

Some people who have sustained injuries are having nowhere to go other than the floor, some having lost limbs from the acts of war.

The Honorary Consul of Romania in Wales, Comcen, Pisys.net, Speednet International Ltd, & C&P Engineering Services Ltd have sponsored the shipment of 296 hospital beds alongside the Welsh NHS and Medstrom Ltd. To deliver this much needed aid to Ukraine.

Diana Stroia, Honorary Consul of Romania in Wales, and Financial Director at Comcen emphasised her gratitude for people in varying roles including directors and managers, coming together to support the humanitarian effort hands on and has also included several other shipments of food and clothing previously sent.

The contribution, collaboration and dialogue between the Honorary Consul of Romania in Wales, working closely with Speednet International Ltd, a vital and invaluable part of this operation on a variety of social platforms has increased the engagement in assisting support to Ukraine.

The process was organised through sponsors, ensuring there was no need for money handling or fundraising to help with humanitarian aid.

The war in Ukraine continues, and we should continue to talk about it. You can follow the hashtag #WalesCaresUkraine to find out more on what is being done.

“We always look at practical ways to help and also be mindful of practical needs and requirements. Ensuring this help is sustainable is everyone’s greatest challenge, and this is why we did not organise fund raisers but rather encouraged people to donate from their excess, what they could.” – Diana Stroia, Honorary Consul of Romania in Wales, and Financial Director at Comcen

Medstrom Release Beds to be Transported to Ukraine

Medstrom an independent UK manufacturer of hospital beds were authorised to release beds from the warehouse with NHS, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s support. Medstrom is the second largest provider of ‘Total bed management’ services to the NHS, with over 25% of the UK’s acute care beds and mattresses fleet under its management. Medstrom stated "We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and everyone in the region affected by these horrific events.” The support between companies and communities has been incredible.

“This is an incredible achievement from everyone involved and I’m proud that Medstrom could support Cardiff and Vale UHB with this project. The logistical organisation, transport and volunteer time should all be recognised, but we all had one clear objective in mind; providing the necessary equipment, as quickly as possible, to help those throughout Ukraine. We will continue to do our utmost to support with further donations.” - Rachel Apsey, Medstrom Commercial Director.

“I’m so pleased to have been involved with this project! It’s incredible what this amazing group of volunteers have managed to achieve, raising money to get desperately needed beds and mattresses donated by C&V UHB over to Ukraine. It’s incredible to see some of the beds already being used and what a difference this will make to patients’ care.” - Claire Luff, Medstrom Clinical Manager.

Zsuzsa Pop, a nurse who volunteered through The Honorary Consulate of Romania in Wales campaign by helping with contacts in Medstrom stated that “Together we are stronger and with every little help we can make a big difference to someone’s life.”

Speednet International Ltd arranged Custom Documents and Logistics

Suceava and Galati in Romania, were crucial locations to ensure safe delivery of the beds to be crossed over to Odessa and central Ukraine.

Mihaela Reynolds of Speednet International Ltd arranged the custom documents and logistics for each of these trucks.

“Ever since the start of the war in Ukraine, I felt the moral obligation to offer help to all those innocent people who were, and sadly still are, finding themselves victims to these unfortunate events.

Key aspect for me was to make sure all the humanitarian aid we’ve organised, was directed to the right places, based on the real needs of the people.

I’d like to express how touched and grateful I am, towards companies like yours and the people that work there, for everything they’ve done by providing much needed supplies and resources, and helping make a huge difference in the lives of all those affected by this humanitarian crisis.” - Mihaela Reynolds, Speednet International ltd.

Once the trucks sent from Wales arrived at their final destination in Romania, they were re-loaded onto humanitarian trucks to cross the border into Ukraine, Odessa.

Comcen MD Supporting the Wales Cares Ukraine Campaign

Dave Matthews, our MD is a great believer that corporations, whatever their size have a duty to be responsible to the communities they work in and the wider world around them, donated both time and sponsorship to transporting two loads of aid into the Ukraine. On this occasion he accompanied the shipment of beds destined for Odessa, unfortunately he was not allowed to enter into Ukraine territory as officials from the Ukrainian County and City government of Odessa felt it was too unsafe, following recent attacks on the city and an essential bridge crossing that the aid convoy needed to cross.

Visiting refugee centres in Galati, Romania, where Comcen has an office, Dave was able to see first-hand, the humanitarian aid efforts of many volunteers and the ongoing requirements the refugees need moving forward.

“One centre housed 144 people over three floors, that included 46 children and one dog, alongside mothers, grandmothers, and widows. There is a dedicated team of unpaid volunteers, assigned to offer support. The rooms are warm and pleasant. Family’s stay together, there was a family of five sharing, but single people did not share, enabling them to keep hold of some privacy, and dignity, when most had their homes destroyed. The City Government of Galati, has done an excellent job. Food is served across the road in a canteen and meeting place."