Edmonton group preparing for 3rd trip to deliver medical, protective gear to Ukraine
An Edmonton store that sells tactical equipment is preparing for its third trip to deliver donated gear and medical supplies to Ukraine.
Battle Rattle Tactical Supplies was busy Thursday as suitcases and hockey bags were packed with donations.
"We packed literally cases and cases, and hockey duffle bags that were donated by United Cycle, full of medical gear," explained David Bryenton, a volunteer. "We also have packed suitcases full of protective gear that is going to help medics, that is going to help the militia. Anything from boots to a chest protector that will protect them from shrapnel, should another bomb go off close to them."
He was one of two people who returned on Monday from Poland. The pair took 16 bags of supplies to Kraków.
"We had a driver there waiting for a minivan. We loaded up and we're off to the border," Bryenton said.
"It was so fast. It was a whirlwind."
They were met at the Poland-Ukraine border by a team who would deliver the supplies to Lviv the next day – shortly before Russian cruise missiles killed nearly three dozen people.
However, Bryenton's mission was completed safely.
"We didn't run into any bumps," he recalled. "Air Canada was fantastic. Lufthansa was fantastic. The EU border guards were fantastic. And the Polish people – above and beyond everybody – were outstanding."
Battle Rattle Tactical Supplies has collected again about 16 hockey bags and suitcases full of medical and protective gear for those on the front lines in Ukraine. That includes rain gear and boots, as well as sterile medical bundles consisting of "everything from dressings to tools" that can be used during operations.
The bags the supplies are being transported in, as well, are useful to Ukrainian refugees who fled with few belongings.
Edmontonians have really "stepped up" to help, Bryenton told CTV News Edmonton.
"If we put enough drops in the bucket, I'm hoping that that bucket will become a tsunami."
The store is only accepting donations of medical supplies and protective gear, and directing other kinds of donations to St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Church.
He's not sure when a fourth trip will happen – but he's sure it's a matter of when, not if.
"Unfortunately, I don't think the Ukraine conflict is going to be a short conflict and I think we're unfortunately going to be needed in the future," Bryenton commented.
"We will go again, I'm confident of this."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Sean McClune and Joe Scarpelli
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We've been here before': Trudeau says Canada will prioritize interests in potential U.S. trade renegotiation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that if the next U.S. president re-opens trade negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Canada will prioritize its own interests.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
Former public safety minister didn't know about delayed spy warrant, he tells inquiry
Former public safety minister Bill Blair denies having any knowledge about delays in approving a spy service warrant in 2021 that may have included references to people in his own government.
'It went horribly wrong': DNA analysis sheds light on lost Arctic expedition's grisly end
Archaeologists have identified the cannibalized remains of a senior officer who perished during an ill-fated 19th century Arctic expedition, offering insight into its lost crew's tragic and grisly final days.
Partial remains of British climber believed found 100 years after Everest ascent
The partial remains of a British mountaineer who might -- or might not -- have been one of the first two people to climb Mount Everest are believed to have been found a century after their ascent of the world's highest peak, according to an expedition led by National Geographic.
Winnipeggers arrested after images surface of cats being tortured, killed
Two Winnipeggers have been arrested after images and videos were posted online of animals being tortured and killed.
Al Pacino says being a new dad at 84 is a 'mini miracle'
Al Pacino is enjoying being a late-in-life dad. The legendary actor talked about being a father to a brood, including to 16-month-old Roman with producer Noor Alfallah.
Common heart conditions raise the risk of dementia, experts say
If you are one of the millions with heart disease, you have a higher risk for future dementia, according to the American Heart Association.