24/02/2025
Today marks 3 years since the full scale invasion of Ukraine. It’s a day that we must remember the sacrifices that Ukrainian people have made to protect the fundamental meaning of democracy and freedom.
Right now the world is the most divided and dangerous it has been since the Second World War. It’s a time where we need to show unity and strength against tyranny and not bow down to oligarchs and big corporations. We must unite and collectively speak out against injustice before we lose our right to speak up.
On February 24th 2022 at 0300, I had just arrived home from work. At that time, I was a nightclub photographer. As I sat down to edit photos, my Facebook newsfeed started going crazy with news that Russian soldiers with Z markings had invaded Ukraine marking a huge escalation in the war that was already being fought in the east. At that time, I was shocked that the war had escalated in such a way but I immediately felt compelled to do something.
After a couple of weeks of planning, I traveled to Poland in mid March to document the mass exodus of civilians fleeing Ukraine for safety. Little did I know at that time, this experience would change my life forever. The naive 24 year old that I was at the time would grow up very fast.
As I started FIRE AID UKcumenting events around me, I realised the gravity of the situation and knew that I had to do more. I put my dream of being the next big media correspondent behind me and I offered my skills to good causes and grassroots charities. Over the next few months, I supported a number of charities with photo and video content to support their fundraising efforts.
Now in 2025, I’m working with a British charity called Fire-Aid which has contributed 118 fire vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment. Over the last year, I filmed a small documentary film which helped generate enough interest to supply another large convoy of fire trucks in the next couple of months. I’m also working with them to set up ‘Brave Minds’ a large scale mental health support program to improve the well-being of Ukrainian firefighters. This project will provide therapy support and a crisis telephone line to support Ukrainian rescuers in need of someone to support them.
I will continue to support Ukraine as long as it takes to reach a lasting and stable peace deal which is in the best interest of Ukrainian people.
To see more of my work in Ukraine, visit: www.emrismedia.com
