Vetplus, one of the Tangerine Group companies owned by entrepreneur David Haythornthwaite, owner of AFC Fylde, had its promotional bus decorated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association congress in Manchester.
Animal nutrition and health products solidify has the bus, outside the Manchester Central complex, staffed by volunteers to raise vital funds for the frontline medical aid charity, UK-Med.
The Greater Manchester-based charity launched its emergency appeal in response to the humanitarian health crisis in Ukraine and its neighboring countries.
UK Med has teams in Ukraine providing primary healthcare and on-the-ground medical response to people displaced by war.
Vetplus’ bus will be a hub for event attendees and members of the public to donate to Ukraine Appeal via cash or card payments, and learn more about the important work being done. by UK Med.
David Haythornthwaite said: “Like many of us watching the devastation unfolding in Ukraine, we feel a sense of helplessness and want to do whatever we can to help where it is needed most. UK-Med is an amazing charity providing life-saving medical help on the front lines.
“We had booked the space outside Manchester Central to coincide with our sponsorship of one of the veterinary industry’s leading conferences. We had planned to park our bus outside and use it as a meeting place to welcome our customers and colleagues during the show. Given the importance of the location and the number of people attending the event, we saw an opportunity to raise awareness of UK-Med’s appeal for Ukraine and to provide a physical place where people can make a donation.
“For every pound raised by conference attendees over the three days we’ll be at the Manchester Convention Centre, VetPlus will add an additional 50p.”
Jackie Snell, Acting Director of Fundraising and Communications at UK-Med, said: “We thank VetPlus for supporting us in fundraising. Our expert medical team, based in Lviv, is working tirelessly to conduct rapid medical assessments in cities across Ukraine to understand the immediate and growing humanitarian health needs.
