Treadmills, spin bikes, and dumbbells from Irish gyms are being used in dozens of Ukrainian rehabilitation centres to help people recovering from catastrophic war injuries.
At one centre, 19-year-old twins are learning how to live without a leg for one, and without an arm for the other.
At another centre in Lviv in eastern Ukraine, men, who have lost one or both legs to mines and other weapons, exercise to strengthen their upper bodies.
Exact figures for the estimated tens of thousands of amputees in Ukraine are not available. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine estimated 30% of their territory has mines and unexploded ordnance which continue to cause serious injuries.
Kerryman Brian O’ Connor, Dubliner Andy Kenny, and Ukrainian Billy Procopec are the link between Ireland and those amputees.
Andy Kenny from Misneach Ukraine. ‘Even if the war ended tomorrow, when you think there are tens of millions of mines and unexploded ordnance, this isn’t going to end quickly.’
Co-founders of Misneach Ukraine, a self-funded not-for-profit, Mr Kenny said they are the “ultimate recyclers” now.
“We take a lot of equipment that is going to landfill or has scrap value,” he said.
“It is perfectly fine but might be slightly damaged or scratched, it’s reached the end of its life in the first world let’s say but it’s desperately needed in Ukraine.”
Much of this is from the Westwood Club group of gyms and Expert Leisure, a supplier of gym and fitness equipment.
He just recently returned from another trip to Ukraine, saying: “It’s always a very tough visit.
“A lot of the guys are very young. And what’s the hardest for me is seeing their wives and girlfriends because they are young girls now having to deal with their partner or husband with these catastrophic injuries.”
The group also transport donated medical equipment. This includes continence wear for injured soldiers and elderly people.
So far this year 31 trucks have gone, those funded by a corporate company. He estimated they fully stocked “well over 15” rehab facilities, and partially supplied up to 24 rehab centres and around the same number of medical facilities.
“All the medical equipment goes to as far east of Ukraine as we can get it, that’s where it is mostly needed,” he said, adding that rehab equipment used more in the west.
“Even if the war ended tomorrow, when you think there are tens of millions of mines and unexploded ordnance, this isn’t going to end quickly,” he said.
There is a high demand for children’s wheelchairs, he said. Many Irish families have individually donated wheelchairs their children grew out of which are now used by injured Ukrainian children.
Misneach Ukraine does not accept financial donations from the public.
The father of two, who continues to work in the fitness industry, said. “And because we’re able to source equipment that has reached the end of its life here, it’s a win-win in that respect. We are saving the environment and saving lives,” he said.
