Healthcare Management Solutions is proudly supporting a local humanitarian aid mission to deliver essential supplies to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Tom Matthews, the son-in-law of Healthcare Management solutions employee Elaine Wood, is making a humanitarian journey to Poland to deliver aid to Ukrainian refugees. Tom will be joined by his brother Sam on the journey from Great Wyrley in Staffordshire to the Ukrainian border departing on Wednesday 16th March 2022.
Having been in contact with those delivering humanitarian support for refugees in Poland, Tom and Sam have been able to establish a list of the most urgently required items. With the help of friends and family and their Facebook Group, the pair have been blown away by the generosity of the local community.
In addition, the team at Healthcare Management Solutions have donated a van load of dried and tinned food, baby supplies, toiletries and other essentials, while the company itself has contributed £500 towards the fuel costs for the journey.
It’s in Our Nature to Want to Help People
Healthcare Management Solutions’ chief executive Tony Stein, said: “It’s impossible not to be moved by the scenes of people fleeing war in Ukraine. Everyone is moved to help, particularly those working in or associated with the care sector. It’s in our nature to want to help people.
“Tom and Sam have done something quite special here though and given up a huge amount of their time and energy to give practical assistance to those in need. The very least HCMS could do was make a contribution in some way. We wish them Godspeed and hope that the supplies that they take with them go some small way to making the lives a little less difficult for those Ukrainian refugees reaching Poland. We look forward to keeping up with them through their Facebook updates.”
With such an overwhelming response to their community collection, it soon became clear that Tom and Sam would need a bigger van for the task. Answering a call on the Facebook page, Chase Van Hire in Rugely has helped them secure an appropriate vehicle just in the nick of time.
The night before starting his epic journey, Tom told his Facebook Group members: “All packed and ready to start our journey in the morning. Just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed towards this amazing thing we’ve all helped to do!”
We’ll be following Tom and Sam’s journey to Ukraine closely and will update this page as their trip unfolds.
France to Poland
Day 1 took Tom and Sam across the Channel to France. Having left their home village of Great Wyrley around 11am UK time, their van full of humanitarian aid made it across the French border and into Belgium by nightfall.
Travelling through the night on the European motorway network, our travellers started day 2 of their journey with a stunning sunrise in Germany.
As they crossed into Poland, heading off the motorway through towns and cities, Tom and Sam admired the Eastern European landmarks and architecture.
By 2pm on Thursday 17th March, they were just a few miles from the aid drop off point.
We will keep you updated!
Mission Accomplished
We’re pleased to say that by the end of day 2 of their journey, Tom and Sam had safely arrived at the humanitarian aid drop off point in Poland.
The drop off itself went smoothly with the aid workers pleased to receive the donations from this appeal.
Following the successful delivery, Tom told the members of their Facebook Group: “Mission accomplished. All good delivered to the border. A wagon will be collecting everything in the morning taking it into the unfortunate town we all came together to help. Thank you all so so much for everything on this amazing journey!”
A little later, Tom and Sam received a video message from Bobi, who with his family, have been displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. In the video, Bobi shares his thanks to all who have donated essentials for the people of his community.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart from me, my whole family, as well as the community we’re living in right now. We greatly appreciate your love and support.”
Coming Home
As of 11am UK time on day 3, Tom and Sam are back in Germany with a ferry crossing booked for Midnight. All being well, the pair are due to return to their home village of Great Wyrley early on Saturday morning 19th March.
A huge well done to them both on their incredible achievement!
