Eddy Scott, a 28 year old former sailor from Dorset, became a hero in Ukraine after he travelled there in October 2022 as a humanitarian volunteer. He was delivering drinking water to towns on the frontline, fixing war-damaged homes, and supporting medical teams. Tragically, in January this year, while evacuating civilians from Pokrovsk, an FPV drone struck his van, causing an explosion that resulted in Eddy losing his left arm and leg.
The charity Superhumans, experts in prosthetics and reconstructive surgery, reports that the conflict has led to over 80,000 people suffering limb loss. Despite his injuries, Eddy is on the road to recovery with assistance from Superhumans, although the charity warns that war-related injuries are increasing by 15 percent each year.
In a tribute to the casualties of war and to raise awareness of its devastating effects, Superhumans has adorned the statue of Florence Nightingale in London with a prosthetic limb painted in Ukrainian colours.
The campaign has garnered support from high-profile figures including Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite, along with world-renowned boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
Surrounding the statue, additional prosthetic limbs have been placed, each featuring a QR code that leads viewers to a video series titled “Ukraine: Defending Freedom,” sharing personal narratives of patients at the Superhumans Centre.
Olga Rudnieva, the CEO of the charity, has made a heartfelt plea: “We want to keep attention on the war in Ukraine and highlight the ongoing battle we’re having to supply those in need.
“In the modern era, the development of prosthetics means that people can get back to living life normally and it’s our aim, in an abnormal circumstance, to get people feeling themselves again.”
The Superhumans war trauma centre was built in just four-and-a-half months while Lviv faced ongoing attacks in 2022. Since then, it has provided services to more than 2,000 patients and this year has extended its reach to Dnipro and Odessa.
Eddy Scott said: “It is so important that we continue to talk about Ukraine. So many people have forgotten that this war is still happening. All of us are tired, but it doesn’t mean that we can stop.”
Sir Richard Branson, representing Virgin Unite, added: “Ukraine’s fight is not just for its own future, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere.
“Since Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They’ve sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives. It’s easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness.
“But we cannot look away. Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf. Let’s keep standing together for Ukraine.”