Page 5 - link magazine

West Swindon dentist returns to Ukraine CYCLE REPAIRS
with third mobile clinic FREE

Another refurbished dental caravan collection &
has been delivered to Ukraine as delivery from
Brendon Ball from Freshbrook Den- home or work
tal Practice and his wife Natasha
renew their efforts to improve levels The BIKE DOCTOR
of dental care in the Cherkassy
region of the country. Over 35 years experience
Brendon made his first trip with Servicing and repairs
medical supplies in 1999 after We also sell parts & accessories
Swindon Link introduced him to www.bikedoctorswindon.co.uk
the charity Dentaid. He discovered For fast, friendly service, call
treatment was given without pain Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or evening
killers and found almost no dental or 07850 650956 (mobile)
health advice. But now, after many
visits to supply materials and
provide training to local dentists,
he says the difference is huge. “Our
contact with senior dental staff and
government people has eased ac-
cess to the country and we are now
highly regarded in the Cherkassy Brendon and Natasha Ball with Herber Trinder who joined them on
region. With greater contact and the trip to deliver the dental clinic which set off on 8 September
with the influence of Europe there
has also been a major shift towards “Our third unit is a self contained the director of dental services in
better dental health education vehicle which we delivered in 2005 Cherkassy, was so pleased when
rather than drilling, filling or extrac- and is robust enough to handle the we said we were bringing another
tion. They also have anaesthetics for bad weather. mobile clinic. Any help that Ukraine
their patients. “However things are sliding receives is very appreciated.”
“The two dental trailers are used backwards. The war against Russia The November Link will report the
across the region which is the size means the resources of a poor trip with photos. Find out how to
of Wales. They get towed out to country are being sucked into help Smile Menders at:
serve remote villages but they can preventing an invasion by their www.smilemenders.org
only be used from April to October much bigger aggressor. It barely
because the severe winter weather makes the news but there is a major
destroys the roads. assault going on.”
After the first trip Brendon set
Farewell to an up a charity - Smile Menders - and
old soldier married his translator Natasha. At
the end of September they celebrate
15 years of marriage.
Although Cherkassy is in the west
of Ukraine, away from the conflict We are an independent family owned and
zone, Natasha said the tension run agency offering over 50 years of combined
affects the whole of the country. property experience servicing, Royal Wootton
“Brendon was in fact given the Bassett, Purton, Lyneham, Swindon and
third mobile clinic in 2008, but surrounding villages.
there hasn’t been enough money to
convert it and buy a towing vehicle
“At the beginning of this year I We pride ourselves on providing our customers
We’re sorry to report that 95 year was getting really upset about the with a professional and personal service that only a
old Jim Trew, whose story we told war because my mother still lives totally committed family team can provide.
in the September Link, passed in Ukraine, though she’s away from
away at Great Western Hospital on the war zone. We decided we had to
Sunday 13 September. do something and we’ve had lots of
Jim is pictured above holding the help to get the caravan ready.
Legion d’Honneur he received from “The people of Great Somerford
the French government for his role where we live ran a number of
in the liberation of France in 1944. fundraising events and businesses
He landed in Normandy with have also helped. Steve Challice 26/26a High Street
the Kensington regiment and was of Cricklade Signs has put on the Royal Wootton Bassett
involved with the liberation of Hol- lettering and GWP Packaging in
land. There he met his future wife Cricklade allowed us to park the Wiltshire SN4 7AA
Henny when billeted in Nijmegan. clinic in their yard for months so
Jim and Henny retired to West that we could complete the work. Sales: 01793 840222
Swindon and recently lived in “The general mood of people Lettings: 01793 855222
Maple Court in Moredon. in Ukraine is very down because
Read their story by searching for the country is under attack. Dr www.alanhawkins.co.uk
Jim Trew at www.swindon.com Ivan Kovolenko, our friend who is
swindonlink.com n October 2015 5