Sunderland University medical school rallies round to help Ukraine

The university’s School of Medicine launched a major donation drive within days of the Russian invasion to gather as many urgently-needed items, from medical supplies to toiletries, as possible.

Students have been working tirelessly between classes in partnership with local organisations across the city to collect items. One example of the generosity being shown was a large box of medical supplies donated by The North East Immediate Care Volunteers after seeing the students’ appeal post on social media.

The students have been working with Sunderland city centre business Geek Retreat, following their appeal for donations.

Due to the large volume of donations, the items were taken to a NHS storage warehouse in Seaton Delaval over the weekend before being transported by members of Newcastle-based Polish Parish Church to Poland today, Monday, March 14, to be distributed to refugees flooding over the border.

Human anatomy lecturer Alice Roberts, who got ball the rolling for the collection and reached out to the university community, explained: "When I heard the Geek Retreat were collecting and storing donations for Ukrainian refugees, I felt compelled to get involved.

"It has been a pleasure to coordinate the School of Medicine's response; the reaction from the school, from both staff and students, has gone above and beyond my expectations.

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“Despite the devastating reason for the collection, I'm proud to see the university working together with the people of Sunderland and the wider north-east region. I hope that the items we have collected will bring some comfort/relief to the people fleeing Ukraine."

Seeing and hearing about the devastation taking place in Ukraine, second year medical student Angela Rollan, from Gateshead, wanted to help: “I felt, not only as a medical student but as a member of society, that it was important to help the people of Ukraine in any way that I could,” she said.

"So when I was approached by Alice about this donation project I was more than happy to get involved.

“To support this effort, I, along with other medical students, have been promoting the project on social media, encouraging people to donate. I also set up a donation box in my accommodation to accompany the donation box placed on University Campus.

"Through these donation boxes we are hopeful that even a single tube of toothpaste will go a long way. We also have been planning a fundraising event relating to the Ukrainian crisis, which we hope may be able to provide further relief. "

Prof Scott Wilkes, Head of the School of Medicine, said he had been 'overwhelmed’ by the support shown by both staff and students across the department.

“As well as the harrowing images in the media, we have become acutely aware of the difficulties faced by fleeing medical students from Ukraine in the midst of this awful devastating humanitarian crisis,” he said.

"This is much needed aid and we will support the national effort in any way that we can to alleviate this unnecessary human suffering. We are poised to respond to help in any other way that we can to support our Ukrainian colleagues and students involved in medical education.”

For the latest news and information about the Ukraine invasion click here for NationalWorld coverage.

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