Seagulls fan to drive ambulance to Ukraine
Retired Brighton accountant Paul Samrah is part of a team taking a fleet of ambulances to Ukraine
- Published
Paul Samrah, who is known for his part in saving Brighton and Hove Albion FC, is joining a team taking a fleet of ambulances to the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Alongside the organisation Medical Lifelines Ukraine (MLLU), Mr Samrah will raise the funds to buy, renovate and stock the ambulance with medical aid.
The 1,300 mile journey he will take with his co-driver Douglas Elliott is expected to take four days.
Mr Samrah, 65, said: “The situation In Ukraine is becoming more perilous by the day. The city of Lviv is now a frequent target of Russian drones."
Mr Samrah is well known as a lifelong Seagulls fan who saved the club when he spotted irregularities in its accounts.
It led to their home at Goldstone Ground being sold off but the retired accountant then spearheaded a campaign to build a new home at the Amex stadium, where he is a season ticket holder.
'Desperately needed' supplies
Mr Samrah and the convoy are set to leave for Ukraine on 22 September.
He said the supplies they are delivering "are desperately needed."
"Through this initiative, we can provide practical and essential assistance to the people of Ukraine.
"Every penny raised goes towards the ambulance, stocking it and getting it to the Ministry of Health.
"So far, we have raised just over £30k but we still need more”.
Funds raised will also buy supplies such as endotracheal tubes for Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital which was recently attacked.
Mr Samrah said: "I am apprehensive about what we will find when we reach Lviv, but I know our efforts and the generosity of our supporters will be greatly appreciated.”
So far, MLLU has delivered 52 ambulances to locations and hospitals throughout the country including the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv.
