Two ambulances are going from Saltash to aid the humanitarian effort in Ukraine after the community helped to raise £15,000.

Outreach Paramedics, which aims to provide ambulances, medical aid and paramedics, are due to depart for the war-torn country on Sunday.

Volunteer crews will drive two fully-operational ambulances fully stocked with medical supplies to Ukraine.

The paramedics and volunteers, in partnership with the Former First Lady of Poland’s charity, Communication Without Barriers, will donate the ambulances to the Ukraine Fire Service and accompany them into Ukraine.

They will provide training to Ukrainian responders in pre-hospital emergency care, trauma and life support.

Outreach Paramedics will be staging a pre-departure reception to wish the volunteers well for their mission and wave them off at the start of their long journey. This will be held at Unit 4, Castle Buildings, in Gilston Road on Sunday between 9am and 10.30am. Declan Sarsfield, the founder of Outreach Paramedics, said: “After months of fundraising, preparation and all the efforts of our contributors, Outreach Paramedics will start the journey from Cornwall to Ukraine.

“Working closely in partnership with the Former First Lady of Poland’s charity Communication Without Barriers, Outreach Paramedics will deliver two ambulances and several tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine.

“Between us, we have secured delivery of the two ambulances and medical supplies to the Ukrainian State Fire Service.

“The Outreach Paramedics team will then tour Ukraine, training 120 state fire servicemen in pre-hospital emergency care, trauma and life support.

“In addition to their normal fire and rescue duties, the Ukrainian state fire service are responding to more and more medical emergencies without much medical training.

“They are extricating severely injured patients from the frontline, and dealing with civilian casualties throughout the war-torn country.

“The state service has requested medical training to improve their knowledge and skills, and we are happy to oblige.”

Community Enterprises PL12, Saltash Community Fire Station, Pysanka Craft Group, Bliss Hair & Beauty and the Pysanka Craft Group are among the local groups who have helped to raise money to send the two ambulances.

Firefighters from Saltash Community Fire Station crossed the Tamar Bridge 18 times in full breathing apparatus as part of their 999 Challenge to help pay for the travel costs for Outreach Paramedics to take the two ambulances with supplies to Ukraine. The firefighters raised £617.

Bliss Hair and Beauty in Saltash hosted a Christmas charity fundraising event whilst the Pysanka Craft Group sold various crafts, most of which were made by Ukrainian children being hosted locally in Saltash.

Declan said: “Without the incredible support we have been given and a monumental team effort, we could not have got to this point, so a huge thanks to all who have helped us get to this amazing result.

“All the donations, efforts and support will directly help to save lives in Ukraine.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, K&M Global, UWE Bristol, Sarkar Tactical, DFDS, Plantspeed Ltd, Antares TDC, Transim Solutions Ltd, Community Enterprises PL12, Saltash Community Fire Station, Pysanka Craft Group and Bliss Hair & Beauty, who have helped to make this a reality.”