Charity led by former Tauranga mayor secures another 10 ambulances for Ukraine

A charity led by former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell is sending another 10 decommissioned Hato Hone St John ambulances to Ukraine in January 2025 to help save lives in the war-torn country. Photo / Supplied

A charity led by former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell is sending another 10 decommissioned Hato Hone St John ambulances to Ukraine this month to help save lives in the war-torn country.

The former Army colonel has been co-ordinating humanitarian aid in Ukraine through the charitable organisation he founded, Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation).

A K.A.R.E press release on January 10 said this latest shipment would bring the total number of ambulances delivered for service in Ukraine to 35, alongside five additional support vehicles deployed to Ukraine.

The latest shipment of ambulances is expected to leave Ports of Auckland in late January and will be operational in Ukraine by late April.

It comes after the charity donated 16 decommissioned ambulances to Ukrainian armed forces in September.

Tenby Powell pictured in 2023. Photo / Alex Cairns

Powell said the ambulances would enhance emergency response capabilities, saving lives in Red Zone areas.

“Hato Hone St John has been an extraordinary partner and we are grateful to them, and our other international partners, for their continued support,” Powell said.

Hato Hone St John chief executive Peter Bradley said: “We are proud to continue our support of Kiwi K.A.R.E by donating a further 10 end-of-life, decommissioned, vehicles to aid their critical humanitarian and medical work.

“These vehicles, which have served New Zealand communities, will now continue making a difference by supporting lifesaving efforts abroad.”

The Kiwi K.A.R.E Ambulances for Ukraine is one of three core work streams that supported the country’s healthcare system, which had been severely strained, the statement said.

Kiwi K.A.R.E’s “Road-of-Life programme” used five ambulances in Ukraine’s east and south - the two areas most affected by the full-scale war.

“While the majority of the ambulances we deliver to Ukraine are donated to frontline medical units, we may keep two of the latest vehicles to augment Road-of-Life given the high demand for health services and evacuations,“ Powell said.

“It will increase our evacuation and hospital transportation capability significantly.”

Kiwi K.A.R.E has completed more than 300 humanitarian and medical missions, evacuated over 450 people, and fabricated over 3200 stoves and water boilers, under their “Heat-for-Healing” recycling project, distributing them to families living in Red Zones, the statement said.

“Kiwi K.A.R.E’s positive impact in Ukraine is testament to the power of local and international cooperation in addressing humanitarian needs and fostering hope during the most difficult of times”, Powell said.

“With continued support from the people of New Zealand and our international partners, we can continue to help the people of Ukraine.”

Donations can be made on the Kiwi K.A.R.E GiveaLittle page or their website.