NATIONAL motor factor GSF Car Parts is supporting the international Ukrainian community through parts and material donations.

Automotive parts distributor GSF, which operates a network of more than 180 branches across the UK and Northern Ireland, has been working with Supporters UA, a volunteer collective of Ukrainian citizens living in the UK dedicated to the production of medical kits and the donation of supplies to those in need in Ukraine.

The motor factor made a high volume of donations to the group that comprised parts, clothing and crockery, all of which was useful to communities in need in Ukraine.

GSF Car Parts Head of Marketing Simon Moore said: “We knew we wanted to find a way for GSF Car Parts to tangibly support Ukrainians in need at this devastating time, so it’s been great to put the strength and depth of our business to good use by working with Supporters UA.”

GSF has so far donated six pallets of goods, shipped from the company’s Midpoint Distribution Centre in Birmingham, consisting of warm and cold weather clothing, mugs and portable solar battery chargers.

Inna Tarpan, a marketing professional who volunteers for Supporters UA, said: “These items have been ideal, so we thank Simon and GSF for their kind support.

“Donated clothes were sent to a medical rehabilitation facility in Ukraine where the wounded come after urgent care hospitals, while the GSF mugs went to a refugee centre for those made to flee their homes in war zones. The battery chargers and solar panels went to Lysychansk in east Ukraine, where they could then be reworked to charge phones and drones.

“At Supporters UA, we continue to collect money and in-kind donations to send medical aid to Ukraine, and at the moment we have two main directions of work: tactical medicine and providing hospitals with always-needed materials.”

Simon added: “Through our work with Inna and Supporters UA, GSF has led aftermarket support for the group, helping to encourage fellow members of the automotive industry to follow suit.”