Highly experienced chief executive Martyn Starnes has taken on a new challenge – raising thousands of pounds to take an ambulance to Ukraine.

A former CEO of Yeovil Town, Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle football clubs, Martyn is now chief executive of the Mendip Community Transport charity which operates 30 accessible minibuses for people who would otherwise be isolated or disadvantaged by having no access to other forms of transport.

"I have been inspired by the Ukrainians' determination and courage to defend their country against overwhelming odds and want to do what I can to help," said Martyn from Croscombe.

"I will be joining a Medical Life Lines Ukraine team in September driving an ambulance containing medical supplies and equipment to Lviv in western Ukraine. The war in that country has had a devastating effect on ordinary people as well as military personnel."

Medical Life Lines have delivered more than 60 aid-filled ambulances to Ukraine alongside 21 generators and one all-terrain rescue crane since Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

"This work has undoubtedly saved lives," said Martyn, "and shown the people of Ukraine that a huge number of people in the outside world are acutely aware of their plight and keen to help them in whatever way that they can.

"Sunflowers are the national flowers of Ukraine and this Sunflower Season we aim to deliver a significant number of additional ambulances in convoys leaving in August and September. These will demonstrate our continuing desire to stand with Ukraine."

Martyn already has support with the fundraising from Maria Gregg of Wells and the Ukrainians of the Wells Welcome Hub.

It costs £15,000 to buy, recondition and deliver an ambulance to Ukraine and this money is raised by volunteer fundraiser-drivers.

Any excess funds are used to buy medical and other aid, additional equipment and vehicles needed by the emergency services. Medical Life Lines work closely with the health and emergency authorities in Ukraine so they can then deliver what people actually need, where they need it.

This includes not only ambulances and medical aid (everything from crutches to defibrillators, bandages to endoscopes) but also clothing and practically anything else needed that the ambulances can carry.

"I need to raise £7,000 towards the acquisition of the ambulance and the accompanying supplies," said Martyn. Any donations no matter how large or small would be gratefully received via my justgiving.com page."