Blanchelande helps to fill Ukraine aid ambulance

The school recently held its second day of solidarity for the people of the country, which involved students coming in with Ukraine-coloured accessories and having a Ukrainian pancake sale at lunchtime.

The country’s national anthem was played at the morning assembly, a Ukrainian students’ prayer was said, and students learned to say some greetings in the country’s language.

The day raised £1,500 towards the ambulance appeal.

One of the ambulance drivers is Ezra Machnikowski, whose son Teo, is in Year 7 at the school.

Mr Machnikowski was with the convoy when it set off earlier this week, prior to which he spoke at the school’s Ukraine Day assembly to tell students about the work being done by Medical Life Lines Ukraine, which has so far delivered 16 aid-filled ambulances to the country.

‘I have personally donated £7,000. I am hoping that with Blanchelande’s help we can raise at least £15,000 as the Guernsey contribution to this initiative,’ said Mr Machnikowski. The cost of one ambulance is roughly £15,000.

‘I have my Guernsey flag packed and will make sure it is prominent when I hand over the ambulance I’ll be co-driving.’

At the time of writing the campaign’s overall target of £90,000 had been exceeded by more than £1,000.

Mr Machnikowski said the charity was set up by a former colleague of his, Aliya Aralbayeva, who was from Kazakhstan.

‘I was inspired to help by reading about Aliya’s example on social media and reached out to her and asked about their next convoy.

‘It is a small action that I am taking in supporting fundraising and co-driving an ambulance but many such small actions by many people have made and continue to make a meaningful and valued difference.’

• The fundraising page is at www.gofundme.com/Convoy23