A woman from West Compton will be driving an Ambulance to Ukraine as part of a convoy leaving London in May. 

Harriet Sandys was asked by Medical Life Lines Ukraine to drive an ambulance to Ukraine. She has been fundraising to cover the cost and collecting medical supplies to deliver to Ukraine.

Residents from Wells and Shepton Mallet have donated items such as crutches and Shepton Mallet Hospital has donated medical supplies it can no longer use. Donations include a walking trolley for the wounded or elderly, bandages and syringes.

Harriet said: "I am going with a great group of people. There are five ambulances going. I have done my ambulance training already. It was a doddle as I am used to driving a horse lorry.

"It should take us about three days to get to Ukraine."

The ambulances are all ex-NHS vehicles but need to be serviced and re-conditioned at a cost of £15,000.

Harriet explained: "There are five ambulances making the journey and each of us has to raise £7,500 and equip it with medical supplies. So far I have raised £3,000 but I still have some way to go. I need to raise another £4,500 by May."

Harriet sells carpets, clothing and decorative items from Central Asia and India at The Barn at the Manor House, West Compton, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4PB. She will be donating 10 per cent from the sale of carpets during Easter and May to Medical Life Lines Ukraine.

The Easter sale will take place on Saturday 30 March to Monday 1 April from 2pm to 5pm.

The May Bank holiday sale will be open from Saturday 4th May to Monday 6 May from 2pm to 5pm.

To help achieve her fundraising target Harriet has also set up a GoFundMe page under her maiden name, Harriet Ray, for anyone who would like to donate:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-up-for-ukraine-save-lives/donate?member=32556317&utm_campaign=p_lico%20share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&fbclid=IwAR0vVAPl3_PuuPf6-XitTkMqNZbdbE11NBrmSEM1u6zet39at8JGATloA7w