Oli Prouse, Site Manager at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy, joined 104 firefighters in an aid convoy for Ukraine.
The local Tenbury Wells resident took part in the 8th Ukrainian Convoy organised by the National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Aid UK to deliver urgently needed firefighting equipment and rescue vehicles to help replace crucial resources lost during the ongoing war.
Alongside his role at the academy, Oli also serves as a retained firefighter with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. He is one of two staff members at the school who provide on-call emergency cover – a testament to Tenbury High’s strong commitment to supporting public service. In recognition of this, the academy received the Chief’s Employers Award in 2023.
18 fire and rescue services and around 100 firefighters from across the UK took part in the convoy, which is sponsored by the UK government. The convoy was made up of 30 fire engines and three support vehicles and travelled 1,300 miles in four days, from Kent to Poland and crossing France, the Netherlands and Germany.
Taking into account all the vehicles and donated supplies, the convoy stretched about 1.5 miles in length. The event brought together volunteers from across the country to stand in solidarity with their Ukrainian colleagues, and Oli has been sharing his experiences of sleeping in fire stations and being fed dinner and breakfast by German and Polish firefighters.
The donations from the convoy successfully provided over 15,000 pieces of life-saving firefighting equipment, building on the 119 fire and rescue vehicles and 200,000 pieces of firefighting equipment which have already been donated.
Oli Prouse said: “The trip was hugely rewarding – it’s very humbling to know that you are taking part in something that’ll make such a huge difference to others in a country at war. The hospitality we received from the German and Polish fire services was exceptional, and without their support these convoys wouldn’t be able to happen. There were lots of songs, lots of laughs and lots of moments to reflect. Through Fire Aid UK and their Brave Minds project, we’ll continue to see how the equipment and appliances are distributed to the regions that need them the most.
“I’m very grateful to Vicki Dean who has allowed me to take leave to be part of this project, and my site team for covering me – which shows the strong relationship between Tenbury High Ormiston Academy, Ormiston Academies Trust, and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.”
Vicki Dean, Principal said: “We are incredibly proud of Oli for volunteering for this important convoy, which provided vital support and equipment for Ukrainian firefighters who are facing the most challenging circumstances. His values and commitment are truly inspiring for our whole community, and we’re really privileged to have him as part of our team at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy.”