Port of Mostyn fire engine set for journey to Ukraine
Karol Swiacki, founder of the Bournemouth-based charity, said: "Having seen first-hand what the people of Ukraine are facing I can honestly say that donations like this are priceless.In the driving seat is Port of Mostyn managing director Jim O'Toole with charity founder Karol Swiacki and charity trustee Alastair Young (Image: Mandy Jones)
"This equipment is really needed and this can be used to save so many lives.
"There is a real shortage of this equipment, so this will make such a difference."
Mr Swiacki, who recently survived a missile strike in Ukraine, travelled to Flintshire for the handover of the fire engine, which was donated by Port of Mostyn managing director Jim O'Toole.Hotel ablaze after Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine (Image: Supplied)
The Port of Mostyn inherited the vehicle after it purchased the neighbouring 45-acre former Warwick International site as part of its expansion plans, which include building a new berth for larger floating offshore wind turbines.
The 2001 fire engine, with only 40,000 miles on the clock, will be sent to Kryvyi Rih, a city critically short on emergency vehicles and life-saving equipment.
Mr Swiacki, who is originally from Poland, has spent extended periods in Ukraine delivering aid.Hotel ablaze after Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine (Image: Supplied)
In March, he survived a missile strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih that killed several people and injured dozens more, including children.
He said: "The people of Ukraine are suffering more and have more problems than we realise.
"Every single gift such as this donation goes a long way and gives those people hope that people around the world care.
"It is our duty to stand with them and show that we care."Devastation caused by Russian missile strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine (Image: Supplied)
Mr O'Toole said: "We didn't really have a use for the engine so we decided to donate it to a charity who could make use of it and we are happy that we are able to do something to help those in need.
"We hope this gift from the people of Mostyn will give hope to those caught up in this awful war."
Preparing the fire engine for transport took several weeks, complicated by the absence of keys to start or move the vehicle.
Mr O'Toole enlisted the help of locksmith Matthew Barton-Jones of Prestatyn-based Locked Out North Wales, who successfully got the engine up and running.
Mr Barton-Jones said: "It was quite a challenge to find out the key profile.
"I had to contact the original vehicle builder and Volvo Europe to get the answers I needed.
"With a lot of work back and to we got there in the end.
"I was determined to get it done."
Following the handover in Mostyn, Ukraine Relief trustee Alastair Young presented Mr O'Toole and his team with gifts and certificates of appreciation.
Mr Young said: "Emergency vehicles have been damaged and destroyed in Ukraine and the Government just does not have the money to replace them so there is a real shortage.
READ MORE:
Fury as 300-home plan for Hawarden approved by councillors
"This engine will be appreciated so much and will help to keep people caught up in a tragic situation safe.
"It is an incredible gift and will do so much good for so many people."
Mr Swiacki said: "We are waiting for quotes on the transportation.
"If there is anyone who could help us with the journey we would love to hear from them."
The fire engine is expected to begin its journey to Ukraine on a low loader in the coming weeks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73-year-old mum Susan Weatherman have been living in a hotel room since July 21 after being made homeless - and are forced to share a double bed Paul Maddocks and his mother have been living a hotel room for weeks A mother and son from Stockport have been residing in a hotel room for weeks following their eviction - without facilities to prepare meals or wash their clothing. Read here about Wales plans to stop people becoming homelessness Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73 year old mum Susan Weatherman say they've been surviving on Pot Noodles and snacks at the hotel since July 21, and were forced to share a double bed for over a week before securing a twin room. Read here about the government's plan to scrap a law that outlaws rough sleeping and begging Stockport Homes relocated them to the Travelodge on Upper Brook Street in Manchester after they were evicted from their previous residence in Edgeley. Read here about the couple who donated two homes for the homeless Paul and his mum Sue, want to be placed closer to their family and friends in Stockport "We've been here for three weeks now, it's really playing on my mental health," Paul said, reports the Manchester Evening News. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "We've not got a fridge in the room, a microwave, or a cooker, so we're having to eat Pot Noodles and takeaways every day, and there's no laundry here. "We spent two weeks in a room with just one double bed. We're running out of cash, we're getting no support with food. We're trying to budget but we're really worried about when our money runs out. " His mum Susan said: "It's a nightmare, it's doing my head in being here and we're far away from our family and friends." Stockport Homes said it is "deeply sorry for the distress" the family is experiencing. A spokesperson said: "Losing your home through no fault of your own is incredibly hard, and we understand how much tougher it is to manage health issues while staying in a hotel. "No one wants families to be in this situation, and we know it's far from what anyone would consider a home. "Like many areas across the country, we're facing pressures on housing, with far more families needing permanent homes than there are properties available. Sadly, that means some people do have to stay in temporary accommodation while we work to find something more suitable." The statement further assured that efforts will continue to secure a stable home for the family. The pair only have a table top as a kitchen area The Edgeley-based family found themselves without a roof over their heads when their previous landlord, Gary Fildes, sold the property they were renting. Gary explained that he was forced to sell due to mounting financial strains and had reached out to Stockport Homes in March to facilitate a seamless transition to social housing. He has since been assisting the family in liaising with Stockport Homes. Gary expressed his disbelief, stating: "To put a 73-year-old in a hotel for nine days in one room [with her adult son] is mental, I have never heard anything like that. There's been absolutely no message on time frames from the council. I just do not get where the compassion is from them." The necessity of spending on ready meals and takeaways has left Paul and Sue anxious about depleting their funds and having to budget meticulously. A Travelodge spokesperson commented: "We understand the pressure local authorities are under and how difficult this is for them and for the people who desperately need a home. Like many other hotel providers, Travelodge works with local authorities to support them with their temporary accommodation needs. "Travelodge's focus is on ensuring all of our customers have a high quality experience across our hotels and we recognise that a hotel room is not a substitute for a home." The firm also noted that the booking was made on behalf of the guests and that they had no say over the choice of room type. Paul has considered private renting but finds nothing affordable in Stockport. Paul and his mother cannot cook a hot meal anywhere in the room He's currently off work due to illness and has struggled with mental health issues. With rents in the borough averaging £1,000 a month, an 8 per cent increase from last year as reported by the Office for National Statistics, affordability is a challenge. Paul expressed his disappointment with the lack of support from Stockport Homes in their dire circumstances. "My head is just burned out, we feel really let down by Stockport Homes, this is not good enough. "I just want them to give us an update to know what's happening. We have absolutely no idea how long we could be here for. We just do not feel they are trying to help us out of this. "We've tried the private rental market and we just couldn't afford it. We're miles away from our family and friends and other things like GPs." Article continues below Stockport Council is poised to allocate approximately £2m on emergency housing this year, in response to an escalating demand for hotel accommodation and increasing homelessness rates within the borough. Stockport Homes, which is under the council's ownership, oversees the social housing stock in the area, with a register that currently includes about 8,000 individuals on the register.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Mum and son forced into hotel living on Pot Noodles after losing home
Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73-year-old mum Susan Weatherman were made homeless in July and have been living in a Travelodge since. A mum and son have been stuck in a hotel room for weeks after losing their home - with no facilities to prepare meals or wash their clothing. Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73 year old mother Susan Weatherman, from Stockport, say they've been surviving on Pot Noodles and snacks at the hotel since July 21, and were forced to share a double bed for over a week before securing a twin room. Stockport Homes relocated them to the Travelodge on Upper Brook Street in Manchester following their eviction from their previous residence in Edgeley. "We've been here for three weeks now, it's really playing on my mental health," Paul revealed, reports the Manchester Evening News. "We've not got a fridge in the room, a microwave, or a cooker, so we're having to eat Pot Noodles and takeaways every day, and there's no laundry here. "We spent two weeks in a room with just one double bed. We're running out of cash, we're getting no support with food. We're trying to budget but we're really worried about when our money runs out. ". His mother Susan explained: "It's a nightmare, it's doing my head in being here and we're far away from our family and friends." Stockport Homes acknowledged it is "deeply sorry for the distress" the family is experiencing. A spokesperson said: "Losing your home through no fault of your own is incredibly hard, and we understand how much tougher it is to manage health issues while staying in a hotel. "No one wants families to be in this situation, and we know it's far from what anyone would consider a home. "Like many areas across the country, we're facing pressures on housing, with far more families needing permanent homes than there are properties available. Sadly, that means some people do have to stay in temporary accommodation while we work to find something more suitable." The statement further assured that efforts will continue to secure a stable home for the family. The Edgeley-based family found themselves without a roof over their heads when their previous landlord, Gary Fildes, sold the property they were renting. Gary explained that he was forced to sell due to mounting financial strains, and reached out to Stockport Homes in March to facilitate a seamless transition to social housing. Since then, he has been assisting the family in liaising with Stockport Homes. Gary expressed his disbelief: "To put a 73-year-old in a hotel for nine days in one room [with her adult son] is mental, I have never heard anything like that. There's been absolutely no message on time frames from the council. I just do not get where the compassion is from them." The necessity of spending on ready meals and takeaways has left Paul and Sue anxious about depleting their funds and having to penny-pinch. A Travelodge spokesperson commented: "We understand the pressure local authorities are under and how difficult this is for them and for the people who desperately need a home. Like many other hotel providers, Travelodge works with local authorities to support them with their temporary accommodation needs. "Travelodge's focus is on ensuring all of our customers have a high quality experience across our hotels and we recognise that a hotel room is not a substitute for a home." The firm also noted that the booking was made on behalf of the guests and that they did not influence the choice of room type. Paul has shared his struggles with finding affordable private rental options in Stockport, stating that nothing fits within their budget. Currently unable to work due to illness, Paul has opened up about his battles with mental health issues. With rents in the borough soaring to an average of £1,000 a month, as reported by the Office for National Statistics—an 8 per cent increase from the previous year—Paul's frustration is palpable. He expressed his disappointment with the lack of assistance from Stockport Homes in resolving their dire circumstances. "My head is just burned out, we feel really let down by Stockport Homes, this is not good enough. "I just want them to give us an update to know what's happening. We have absolutely no idea how long we could be here for. We just do not feel they are trying to help us out of this. "We've tried the private rental market and we just couldn't afford it. We're miles away from our family and friends and other things like GPs." Stockport council is poised to shell out approximately £2m on emergency accommodation this year amid escalating demand for hotel placements and surging homelessness figures across the borough. Stockport Homes operates under council ownership and oversees the area's social housing portfolio, which currently has roughly 8,000 people on the waiting list.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'My cousin gave her daughter worst name ever and I refuse to use it'
A woman has shared her outrage after hearing what her 20-year-old cousin has named her daughter - and she has come up with a nickname for the little one just to avoid saying her name A woman has blasted her cousin for giving her daughter the 'worst name ever' when trying to pay tribute to her grandparents. She explained how her 20-year-old daughter welcomed a baby girl last month and combined her grandparents' names to create a new moniker for her. However, rather than going for the 'obvious' choice, she gave her name a name that could result in her being bullied throughout her childhood years into adulthood. Taking to Reddit, the woman said: "She named her something so horrific I cannot even call the baby it. She combined two names and came up with Harlotte after her grandparents Harvey and Charlotte. "She didn't tell anyone the name idea until after she was named and papers signs. My mum burst out, 'You named the baby wh***?' and my cousin started screaming. We are a loud family but holy h**l. This poor child, Harlotte." She went on to explain how she has given her the nickname Piglet as she's unable to say Harlotte without filling with rage. She added: "She came out very pink and has a puggy nose so I'm calling her Piglet for now." Commenting on her post, one user said: "Charley was right there! Sputters in confusion and outrage for the poor kid." Another user added: "This is a bit old now. I think every pregnant person should receive a free Dictionary and be forced to search all names for meaning in other languages. Case in point, girls named Fanny visiting the UK." A third user said: "In my country, parents can't name their kids certain things. I think the world should do the same." One more user added: "Honestly Harlot is one of the words I think would make a pretty name if it didn't mean what it does." A final user said: "Omg, at least little Lotte can claim she has a Scandinavian name and pray no teacher ever uses anything but the abbreviated version." It comes after another mum sparked controversy after telling her friend how she wants to give her daughter a July-themed name. Taking to Reddit, a woman explained: "My best friend recently found out she is having a girl. This is a dream come true for her. "Her daughter's room is fixed up gorgeous. My bestie is basking in her pregnancy glow and I love it for her. "So last time I was over there, we started discussing her due date which is mid-July. She said she was thinking of July-based names. "I warn you these are all cringe. Rubeigh, Jewelie, Dyeanah, or Liberteigh. I'm very worried for this poor innocent child who's due in a little over three and a half months."
