A Lanarkshire dad providing vital medical training to help those wounded in war-stricken Ukraine has thanked generous locals for helping him save lives.
Craig Borthwick has just returned from his second international aid mission where he helps those on the frontline of the Russian invasion.
In April, we told you how the 52-year-old from Uddingston faced the horrors of war up close when he ventured to Lviv earlier this year.
With a wealth of expertise in medical training and specialising in ballistic and catastrophic trauma, he was set up with a small group of men holding similar skillsets at a military base.
There, he trained over 100 medics from basics right up to advanced frontline treatment.
However despite Craig's heroics, there were a number of challenges. There was a lack of specialist equipment such as particular manikin dummies used to train medics on vital procedures like how to decompress chests with a needle.
During the dad-of-two's first trip, pigs were used instead, and he and his colleagues were even offering their own veins for trainees to practice cannulation on.
But since Lanarkshire Live shared Craig's story, he has been overwhelmed with support. And medical aid company Simulaids generously donated £2500 worth of the equipment required for him to carry out training to the best standard during his second trip.
That allowed more people to be trained, with more advanced techniques being taught.
On his return, Craig has now told how over 170 individuals from different units were armed with his vital training in May.
His heroics last month received special recognition in Scottish Parliament where MSP Stephanie Callaghan submitted a motion congratulating him for his efforts.
Dozens of young men, many aged 18 and 19, have stepped-up to carry a gun and defend their country, and it was Craig's job to train them to be emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who could work alongside units on the frontline to help save lives.
Craig also set up an Amazon wish list where locals have kindly donated to bolster his life-saving mission.
He has thanked those who have purchased items and for the many messages of support he has received.
Craig added: "My first night in the country saw the launch of the largest cruise missile strike since the war began directed at where I was staying, which was the beginning of a campaign of bombing by Russia four nights out of seven.
"The constant air raid alarms, many through the night, soon take their toll on sleep. Those bombings continue albeit the air defence is doing a sterling job.
"Despite all that, the people are incredible. Resolute, determined, justifiably proud, and ever grateful for the outside assistance.
"We trained over 170 individuals, from a variety of different units, in both standard battlefield first aid to specialist training for medics.
"It’s clear from the stories that many of the techniques we are training are also being used on the civilian population trapped in some of the frontline areas and deliberately targeted by Russian forces.
"With the new equipment, we were able to demonstrate and let them practice the more advanced techniques which was a game-changer, my next plan is to try and raise funds to purchase more of the specialist mannequins and I’m grateful to the manufacturer, Simulaids, for offering me them at cost.
"I’ll be setting up some sort of GoFundme shortly. The costs are going to be in the region of 6k so if anyone knows of any funding sources, please reach out to me.
"Remember, these volunteers are treating civilians as well as the military, I’m not attempting to fund the war effort, just save lives."
"It’s a humbling privilege to play a small part in their struggle", Craig added.
"Thank you again to everyone that’s put their hand into their pockets to help, you are saving lives."
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