Fire engine donated by Kent aid group to Ukraine
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA fire engine has been donated to a city in Ukraine by a Kent aid organisation.
The fully-equipped vehicle is now in active service in Semenivka, in the Chernihiv region of the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
The fire engine was sent by the Kent With Ukraine (KWU) group, which was founded by Gravesend borough councillor Jordan Meade,
Councillor Meade, who has made numerous trips to the country to deliver aid, expressed his "sincere thanks" to volunteers from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) who transported the vehicle.
He said he hopes that this fire engine will make "a tangible difference on the ground", reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The donation comes as United States president Donald Trump and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky were seeking to make a breakthrough in peace talks in Florida.
The vehicle was secured from Fire AId, an organisation which provides relief for global disasters.
Claire Hoyland, head of development and partnerships at Fire Aid, said: "We are extremely grateful to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for donating both the fire appliance and the essential onboard equipment."
KWU is preparing further emergency aid missions early next year.
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
