A woman sets herself the mission of delivering maternity equipment to Ukraine, before she cycles more than a thousand miles back home to the UK to raise money for charity.
Andrea Fraser, from Struy, near Inverness, will fly from the UK to Krakow, Poland, on Wednesday where she will pick up £17,000 worth of essential maternity kit.
The 30-year-old Edinburgh-based human rights lawyer will then drive supplies to the Ukraine border in an emergency vehicle. He will deliver them to volunteers who will distribute them to hospitals across the country.
Ms. Fraser will then set off on a 1250-mile bike ride to raise money for Baby Lifeline UK, the charity that provides the maternity equipment.
Andrea Fraser will deliver equipment, a responder vehicle and other items before she cycles back to the UK (Tony Marsh/PA for Baby Lifeline/PA).
Ms. Fraser commented on the journey ahead: “It’s going to be tough, I know that, but I have to do something to draw attention to the ongoing human suffering caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the need for continued public support for organisations like Baby Lifeline, which is working closely with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) to provide the equipment needed to help safely deliver babies in the most difficult circumstances.
“The Russian onslaught has stepped up once again, and, with winter is fast approaching, I am haunted by thoughts of what innocent and vulnerable civilians, including pregnant women and birthing people, are set to go through.
“Can you imagine being forced to give birth in a war zone, separated from family, without adequate pain relief, in the freezing cold, surrounded by the sound of missiles and artillery fire?
“I could easily feel daunted about driving to the Ukrainian border, and what will be the longest bike ride of my life through four foreign countries, but it is nothing compared to what the people of Ukraine go through on a daily basis.
“Instead, I am focussing on them and the need to get them lifesaving equipment, as soon as possible.”
The Baby Lifeline specialist birth bags, as well as defibrillators, foetal dopplers, personal protective equipment (PPE), stretchers and blankets will be used to help safely deliver babies born in the aftermath of Sunday’s devastating Russian attacks.
According to the Associated Press news agency, 13 people were killed and over 60 injured in Zaporizhia’s latest attack on Sunday. At least 10 of these victims were children.
The vehicle Ms Fraser is driving to the Ukraine border is one of Baby Lifeline’s first responder cars, which has been kitted out with the equipment that paramedics require to treat casualties and deliver babies.
After her mission is completed, the vehicle will then be donated to a hospital Kramatorsk in Ukraine. This area has been hit by Russian missiles recently.
Ms. Fraser indicated that she plans to end what she called the “European leg”She will be returning to London by ferry after her Rotterdam tour at the beginning next month. “day job”November 4,
Then she will take a train to Berwick on-Tweed in Northumberland, then cycle across the border to the Edinburgh headquarters of Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.
The fitting end reflects Ms Fraser’s six-month collaboration between Baby Lifeline and the AUGB, one of whose volunteers will be matching the Scot’s mileage on an exercise bike from home.
Judy Ledger is the founder and chief executive officer of Baby Lifeline. “Andrea Fraser is a truly remarkable woman, not only because she’s bravely travelling to Ukraine on her own – and then putting herself through one of the most challenging fundraising activities we, in our 40 years as a charity, have ever seen – but also because of her unrelenting dedication to helping women and babies in Ukraine.
“Since the inception of Baby Lifeline’s Ukraine Appeal, she has been at the forefront of our steering group, which has supported mothers, babies and medical professionals in Bucha, Chernihiv, Sumy, Irpin, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Vorzel, with the provision of more than £500,000 worth of equipment.
“Thousands of babies continue to be born in the most horrific circumstances, and we have to continue to do what we can to support them. Andrea, you are an inspiration. Thank you for everything.”