A convoy of ambulances assembled in the East End is now on its way overland across Europe and Turkey with emergency medical aid for Syria.

East London Advertiser: Human Aid UK volunteers Alaur Rahman, left, Akbar Miah, and Kashim Ali hold some of the goods to be sent in the medical convoy to Syria.Human Aid UK volunteers Alaur Rahman, left, Akbar Miah, and Kashim Ali hold some of the goods to be sent in the medical convoy to Syria. (Image: Archant)

A convoy of ambulances assembled in London’s East End is now on its way overland across Europe and Turkey with emergency medical aid for Syria.

The 20 ambulances which assembled at Fieldgate Street in Whitechapel at the weekend are loaded with supplies, being driven by volunteers over Christmas to arrive at the Syrian border by the New Year.

The supplies are destined for hospitals to help paramedic emergency response, to treat refugees and civilians caught up in Syria’s bloody civil war.

Some 75 volunteers are running the convoy organised by Human Aid UK.

“Our hope as winter approaches is that this medical aid will save lives,” said the UK charity’s operations manager Jilu Miah.

“While the ongoing civil war continues, many refugees are affected by the horror and the tragic loss of life that has ensued for more than three years now.”

Most of the volunteers and fundraisers are British Asians, many from the East End’s Bangladesh community.

The convoy left Whitechapel at 10am on Saturday, heading for the cross-Channel ferry, and is now travelling through Europe towards Turkey and the Syrian border.

Among the volunteers are university students, teachers, social workers, mechanics and youth workers, all giving up their winter holidays for the Syrian humanitarian cause.