A CHARITY is appealing for medical supplies to be donated to its base in Llanfairfechan before later being sent to help those currently suffering in Ukraine.

British International Rescue and Search Dogs (“B.I.R.D.”), which has helped locate missing people and help those in critical need around the world for more than 30 years, plans to transport the donations to the Ukrainian border.

This follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24 and has since left a trail of devastation across the country.

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The charity will be collecting all donations, such as bandages and field dressings at its hub in Llanfairfechan, the Church Institute on Park Road, tomorrow (March 9) before going to Poland the next day.

Matt Ryan, whose roles in the charity include trainee dog handler, drone operator, and digital support provider, said: “At the heart of what we do is providing support to those who need it around the world.

“We've been deployed to disaster areas and warzones in many countries, so we felt that we couldn't sit back and watch what's happening in Ukraine.

“We want to do as much as we can to help those who desperately need it right now.”

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The charity has also set up an online donations page, which currently stands at a total of £445 raised, and will help finance the trip to Ukrainian border.

It has also appealed for the loan of a vehicle with which all of the donations of medical supplies can be transported.

A post on the charity’s online donations page said: “We have been involved in assisting in disaster and conflict areas, including warzones such as the Bosnian war.

“Our team and our dogs have helped people in the worst moments of their lives and at times, have been able to bring closure to families.

“Please consider donating whatever you can to this appeal so that we can help as many people as we can.

“Lastly, please share our appeal far and wide, we really need the support of our community to make this happen.

“We stand with the people of Ukraine and we want to help in any way that we can.”

To visit its online donations page, go to: donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/medical-supplies-for-ukraine.

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