Fire engines from south Wales donated to war-torn Ukraine

Eight fire engines from south Wales are being donated to firefighters in war-torn Ukraine.

Since 2018, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has donated five fire engines to Fire Aid, a charity set up to give fire and rescue equipment and training to countries in need.

Now, with Welsh Government support, SWFRS is donating another eight vehicles.

Assistant chief fire officer Martin Ward-White said: “We are grateful that colleagues from Welsh Government were able to support our latest donation of vehicles to Fire Aid, and we will reinvest that support in our service.

“Since 2022, there have been eight convoys from the UK to Ukraine, with over 119 vehicles donated in total by UK fire and rescue services.

“As part of our ongoing vehicle replacement programme, these fully operational vehicles are being donated to our Ukrainian colleagues, where they will continue to serve an important purpose.”

Jayne Bryant, Wales’ cabinet secretary for housing and local government, said: “It’s fantastic that Wales is once again able to support firefighters in Ukraine with these vital resources.

“These appliances will make a real and meaningful difference to firefighters in Ukraine who continue to carry out incredibly dangerous work to save lives and protect communities.”

Ms Bryant added: “This latest donation builds on the service’s previous contributions and is a wonderful example of Wales’ standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”