We have all seen on the news the urgent need for medical equipment in Ukraine and the surrounding countries as field hospitals are set up to treat casualties and to replace damaged hospitals. We have joined forces with key supplier GNG Group, to send a desperately-needed consignment of beds and mattresses via MEDAID-4KIDS to support victims of war in Ukraine.

Drive DeVilbiss will donate 200 new rapid deployment beds which were developed in response to the pandemic outbreak; these beds do not require electricity and so can be more easily set up in demanding environments. We will also donate 100 new mattresses, and GNG has stepped in to make up the shortfall by donating a further 100 foam mattresses which they are manufacturing at their Wakefield production facility. We have worked with GNG for the last 20 years, and they were pleased to be able to help and support this important initiative.

MEDAID-4KIDS will collect the consignment on Monday 21st March from the Drive DeVilbiss depot where three 40ft containers are being loaded with the donation. It will then be transported to a location in Poland, close to the Ukrainian border, where it is due to arrive on Friday 25th March. . Drive DeVilbiss and Brendan Devlin, General Manager for Ireland, have worked closely with the charity MEDAID-4KIDS for 20 years in Ireland, providing older hospital beds that are no longer required and refurbishing them to be sent to countries across the world in need of additional beds.

“Medical equipment is in short supply, and our close relationship with supplier GNG Group has enabled a collaboration of efforts. The beds and mattresses will provide essential equipment to the medical teams on the ground supporting the injured and displaced; we wanted to help and support the people of Ukraine and this is one small way in which we can achieve that goal. We also hope to do more over the coming weeks as we identify other potential equipment which we can send in support of the Ukrainian people, the charities and government organisations who are providing the much needed local support.” Richard McGleenan, Group Managing Director of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare

Darren Potterton, Managing Director of GNG Group, explains: “In recent weeks we’ve seen a humanitarian crisis developing in Ukraine which has moved the world and we wanted to do what we could to help. We have a great team here in Wakefield, made up of around 13 nationalities, including Ukrainians, which has made the tragedy in Ukraine even more poignant for us. Having worked closely and constructively with Drive DeVilbiss for many years, we’re proud to be able to play our part in this valuable initiative and support the relief effort.”

For more information please contact marketing@drivedevilbiss.co.uk