Photographer's drive to help Ukraine firefighters

A photographer who went to Ukraine to capture the conflict with Russia has spoken of his campaign to support the country's firefighters.

Ed Matthews, from York, went to Ukraine three years ago, at the beginning of the Russian invasion, with the intention of working for the media.

But after a few hours at the Polish border, he turned his attention to charity work and - now based in Kyiv - he is working with British group Fire-Aid.

The 26-year-old said the charity had donated 118 fire engines and 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine.

"I produced a small documentary film for them, which is being screened in Liverpool today," he said.

"As a direct result of that film, we've managed to get another 32 fire trucks ready to go to Ukraine in April."

While filming the documentary, Mr Matthews realised there was an "urgent need" for an independent mental health service for firefighters.

"There is a psychology team within the state's emergency services, but there's a disconnect between the problems and what they can actually offer," he said.

"It's really important to have an independent service provider who's able to offer that service separately, so we don't put any jobs at risk and we make a tangible difference."

He has helped to launch a mental health support programme for the firefighters called Brave Minds.

The project provides therapy and a crisis telephone line for Ukrainian rescuers.

"In the long-term, this will help save Ukrainian civilian lives, whether there's a war or not," Mr Matthews said.

The photographer described life in Kyiv as a "surreal experience".

Today, he saw a cloudless sky with traffic in the street but 12 hours before, there was a drone attack and the previous night saw the "largest drone attack of the war so far".

"It's like the sound of constant fireworks but for hours on end," Mr Matthews said.

"The actual drones themselves sound like underpowered mopeds. That noise can be quite triggering because it gets closer and closer and then you suddenly hear an enormous explosion.

"You do sort of get used to it but it's not normal."

The photographer said he had three to five minutes to find cover during an air alert.

"In those moments when we're under attack, if there is no opportunity to take cover, you just have to come to terms with the fact something might happen," he said.

"You work out where your medical stuff is. You make sure you know where your tourniquet and dressings are. If something happens, you're prepared for it."

Looking ahead, Mr Matthews said: "Obviously with different influences from parts of the world, there's lots of uncertainty and questions being asked about the future.

"For Ukrainian people the answer is simple, they just want peace and peace that's in their best interest."

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