An army veteran who went to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian forces on the front line has pledged to make a return to the war zone.
Ahead of his return Southwold resident Rick Partridge is seeking to raise funds to help Ukraine in its fight against Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The army veteran, who served in West Germany from 1980-86, first supplied aid in Ukraine from his mobile home between April 11, 2022, to June 2, 2022, and says he feels “helpless” in Suffolk.
“You can’t untrain a soldier. All a soldier wants to do is what he is trained to do.
“I am helpless here, I want to be back on the front helping the courageous efforts of the Ukrainians in fighting against injustice.
“We will be assisting in the logistics and humanitarian side of the war effort.
“I want to use my military instinct and medical training to supply the front with what they need,” he said.
The 60-year-old says the smallest of donations and contributions, as simple as a pair of socks, can keep a soldier alive after he treated a Ukrainian fighter for trench foot.
He said: “A simple thing such as a fresh pair of socks is everything for a soldier.
“His feet are going to save his life.
“I know times are tough but if people could spare just a little for a pair of socks it will allow the Ukrainian forces to continue fighting.
“We aren’t doing this for medals, or recognition, it is because we care passionately.
“My friend who I will be meeting up with, Andy Den, is in Ukraine helping right now.
“He had to be tricked by Ukrainians into accepting medals, he has been honoured with the Ukrainian equivalent of the St George’s Cross for bravery.
“In my last visit, I treated a man for trench foot, such a nasty condition, the Ukrainian soldier, called Max, was so grateful.”
Mr Partridge’s mobile home under its camo disguise to deter Russian airstrikes from targeting the vehicle at night (Image: Rick Partridge)
On his last visit, Mr Partidge travelled in his mobile home which he converted into a humanitarian aid vehicle, but this time he will fly.
Mr Partidge said: “This time I won’t be taking my mobile unit van.
“The van will go into storage and I will fly out to meet with my friends from the British Royal Corps of Transport, now called the Royal Logistics Corps, who are already out there helping.
“Andy Ray, Andy Matherson and Andy Den, all from my former regiment are out there and I will assist them with the work they are doing.
“I look forward to joining up with them and getting away.”
Camy the cat photographed by the Pier in Southwold after Mr Partridge rescued the cat (Image: Rick Partridge)
On his last visit not only was Mr Partridge helping civilians and soldiers, but he also saved a kitten from starvation.
“It was a kitten who had terrible throat issues and was in so much pain it couldn’t eat.
“After getting the cat Camy treated I brought Camy back to the UK for a quieter life and Camy was rehomed,” the veteran said.
Mr Partridge has been stationed by the pier in Southwold since he returned, much to the disapproval of some locals, to be near his son and daughter who work and live nearby.
He said: “My son is an industrial plumber called Andrew who lives in Lowestoft.
“It is good to be near them, but they know how excited I am to return.
“Not too many of the local residents have been overly accommodating to me living here.”
Mr Partridge is having to sell his beloved Honda bike to fund his trip to Ukraine (Image: Bruno Brown)
To raise funds, Mr Partridge says he will be part of a Crowdfunding page launching next month and will be selling his “beloved” bike.
“I am trying to sell my beloved bike, a category one Honda CRF 250 to raise money.
“As soon as the bike is sold I am off.
“I plan to be away for an undetermined length of time,” Mr Partridge said.
