A charity in Surbiton loaned its van to a British-Ukranian woman to help her get urgent medical supplies to the frontline in Ukraine.

After a van hire mix-up, Olga Proto had no vehicle to drive boxes of supplies for Ukraine from Cheam to a collection point in Dover.

She got in touch with the Save The World charity in Surbiton, and the charity leaders then insured her on their van.

Thanks to charity secretary and trustee Tariq Shabbeer, Olga was able to get the life-saving resources, including Israeli bandages, special tourniquets and catheters, to the border.

Olga, whose parents were once refugees, explained: “My mum is 93 and has been crying her eyes out saying ‘I never thought I would see this happening in my country again’

“Everything that is happening now is what she saw when she was 11 years old - the same mass graves.

“Something she never thought she’d see again in her lifetime.

“Tariq and Paul from the charity were absolutely brilliant.

"They really did save the day.

“I was able to load the van with essential aid for Ukraine and get it to Dover.”

The medical kit was donated by the public and St Heliers Hospital.

Tariq said: “Olga was really stuck so she came to us, and luckily we were able to help her.

“This is the second delivery going to Ukraine that we’ve supported.”

The supplies have gone through the Polish border and have been delivered to a convent in Ukraine - who Olga has had links with since 2014.

According to Olga, nuns then distribute the supplies to those who need it most.

Olga has also brought four of her family members to the UK via the government’s new Ukraine Family Scheme and is very passionate about helping those who are still suffering in the country.

Her husband has been paying hundreds of pounds every other month to have the goods transported to Ukraine.