Law student will drive ambulances to Ukraine and raises money

At the end of March, second-year law student Thomas Andriesse, his brother Jasper (who graduated from Utrecht Law College in 2024) and their father will travel to Kyiv to donate ambulances and medical supplies to victims of the war in Ukraine. Like many people, they find the suffering difficult to witness, but Thomas and Jasper decided to take action.

The campaign has already received considerable media attention. NOS, RTV Utrecht, Noordhollands Dagblad, NPO Radio 2, and others have reported on their courageous plan to travel to the front in so-called "war ambulances." The men are raising at least €30,000 to purchase two ambulances, convert them, equip them with medical supplies, and drive them to Kyiv themselves. You can follow their progress and make donations on the Instagram page Ambulances for Ukraine.

Join in, help out

In an interview in DUB Thomas emphasizes that this is a humanitarian effort. "We simply want to help the wounded, not contribute to the war," he says. He especially wants people to take action if they want to help the war victims. "It's really possible to do much more if you feel powerless." By donating money, or simply lending a hand.

It really is possible to do more, when you feel powerless.

Support from companies 

Thomas hopes that companies will join in with donations and support, and that more students will join as well. "We can tackle this university-wide. Communications students can set up campaigns, law students can help comply with laws and regulations, medical students can ride along to see how healthcare works in a war zone, and business students can contribute to the procurement policy."

Painted green and 4x4

The ambulances will be painted army green to be less conspicuous and will need 4x4 engines to navigate the wrecked roads. On board, in the front line, are only a stretcher, an AED, a ventilator, medication, and bandages. Thomas also handles the paperwork, as entering Ukraine isn't easy, especially not with a bus that resembles an army vehicle.
Thomas has contacts with various organizations and, along with his brother and father, arranges all the visas and transportation himself. They hope to deliver the first ambulances by the end of March.