A Co Antrim man is preparing to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to help deliver and install crucial satellite communication and water filtration pumps that will supply many villages with clean water.
Over recent months, David Greer from Islandmagee has been helping people in the war-torn country to stay connected to phone and internet networks in areas where the communication infrastructure has been destroyed.
David, 62, who runs LedinEdge Communications, travelled to the Ukrainian border to assist with this effort just after Easter, accompanied by his wife Ruth.
Read more: NI man visits Ukrainian border to help people stay connected amid conflict
The couple travelled for two days across land and sea from Northern Ireland to Kraków in southern Poland to help with communications in areas of Ukraine, where much of the infrastructure that keeps people connected to each other and the outside world has been destroyed.
This time David is also returning to help with restoring clean drinking water in areas where supplies have been cut off.
Russia’s war against Ukraine has caused collateral damage to the country's water delivery and sewage systems. In recent weeks Russia has further targeted Ukraine's power and water infrastructure, prompting shortages across the country.
David told Belfast Live: "Since the return from our first delivery of internet communication systems, food, medical aid, personal hygiene and clothing back in April, we have been able to supply and send a further eight full pallets of donations and help collected in east Antrim and further afield.
"While in Ukraine, the importance and need for clean drinking water was very much to the fore with requests made by local groups and charities for purification tablets and any filtration pumps we might be able to supply.
"With this in mind, we are moving forward with another shipment of crucial aid delivered directly into Ukraine in November.
"We have been able to source both purification tablets and filtration pumps in the UK and purchased these with donated funds. To date, we have been able to fund two complete filtration systems for clean drinking water for approximately 1,500 people in a village or small settlement-sized area.
"We have also sourced smaller units that supply family-sized groups of approximately 20 people with their clean water needs. Both the systems are worked via hand and foot pump without needing an electrical power source.
"With the continued support of donations and gifts, we have also been purchasing further supplies of both pumps, purification tablets and medical aid for distribution in Ukraine. Because it's winter, we'll also be transporting blankets, warm clothing for children and infants, sleeping bags and similar items.
"The distribution will be handled via a local chaplain with whom we have been working all summer. It's a one way trip as the van we are taking over with us is being gifted to the Ukrainian pastor for help with his humanitarian work in distributing aid within the country."
David added: "We are so thankful to all of the fantastic people and companies who have supported our efforts for the people in Ukraine to date. We all know it's getting harder and harder to continue giving but every penny received is very much appreciated.
"It will help make a difference to these people, especially with winter around the corner and the widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes and lives, both young and old."
To donate to David's fundraising appeal please click here or for collections of donations you can contact him on 07707063999.
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