Project Sunflower is a UK-led humanitarian initiative being developed by STORKS Charity and SkyCare Repatriation. Our aim is to enable Ukrainian children with serious illness and war-related injury to access specialist treatment in the United Kingdom that is not currently possible inside Ukraine.
The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. It is also, quite simply, a plant that follows the sun. For a child living through war, that instinct towards light and warmth is a powerful and quiet symbol of hope, resilience and a future still worth reaching for.
STORKS was founded to strengthen neonatal and paediatric critical care through clinical training and education, empowering critical care for every child. That the stork is also Ukraine's national bird is an unintended coincidence, but one that has given the partnership a resonance we could not have designed.
Project Sunflower is being established to help Ukrainian children with serious health conditions - including cancer and war-inflicted injuries such as limb loss and severe burns - access specialist treatment that is not currently available inside Ukraine because of the ongoing war.
The programme is being designed to receive referrals from a range of sources: Ukrainian clinicians, hospitals, non-governmental partners and, where appropriate, families reaching out directly. Each case would be reviewed on clinical grounds, with a defined scope of treatment in the United Kingdom and clear timescales for the child's return to Ukraine. Anticipated areas of care include elective surgery, limb reconstruction and prosthetics, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The initiative is being developed by STORKS Charity and SkyCare Repatriation, drawing on deep-rooted ties to NHS clinical services, international specialist paediatric networks, and a local network of transfer specialists and medical specialists. These relationships are the foundation for identifying the right hospital, consultant, transport team and treatment pathway for each child we hope to support.
Elective surgery, limb reconstruction, prosthetics, chemo- and radiotherapy.
Fixed-wing air ambulance repatriation coordinated end-to-end.
Agreed with the treating NHS and specialist clinical team, with a clear timeline for the child's return home.
Ukrainian children treated across the EU since the start of the war.
Children with cancer treated in the United States.
Ukrainian children with cancer treated in the UK to date.
Sources: publicly reported treatment figures from UK Government, EU member states and US programmes since 24 February 2022.
Each case would follow the same clinical and logistical pathway, agreed in advance with the treating NHS and specialist clinical team, the referring party in Ukraine and the child's family.
A referral is received from a Ukrainian clinician, hospital, partner organisation or, in appropriate cases, directly from a family. The child's condition is one that cannot be treated inside Ukraine.
The case is reviewed jointly by Ukrainian and NHS or specialist clinicians to determine feasibility and agree a treatment plan. Acceptance is confirmed with the treating clinical service before travel.
STORKS, SkyCare and partner organisations coordinate fixed-wing air ambulance transport to the United Kingdom and arrange suitable accommodation for the child and their parent or carer.
On completion of treatment, STORKS and SkyCare facilitate the child's return home, with medical escort where clinically required.
Project Sunflower is being developed through a coalition of organisations, each contributing a defined role within the pathway.
A UK-registered charity (No. 1212989) working to empower critical care for every child through neonatal and paediatric clinical training and education. STORKS provides the charitable framework, clinical relationships and governance for Project Sunflower.
An international fixed-wing air ambulance and medical repatriation service based at London Biggin Hill Airport. SkyCare would provide medically escorted transport for children travelling to the United Kingdom for treatment and their return to Ukraine.
Project Sunflower is being shaped around deep-rooted ties to NHS clinical services, international specialist paediatric networks, and a local network of transfer specialists and medical specialists. These relationships help us identify the right hospital, consultant, transport team and care pathway for each child we hope to support.
We are in dialogue with clinicians and hospitals in Ukraine about referral of children whose conditions have exceeded the capacity currently available inside Ukraine's health system.
Project Sunflower brings together a team with decades of combined experience in clinical medicine, paediatric care and aeromedical operations. The initiative is coordinated by Sofia Petryk, Medical Operations Executive at SkyCare, and draws on the expertise of senior paediatric clinicians, critical care specialists and air transport physicians working through STORKS Charity and SkyCare Repatriation. It is being developed for the consideration of NATO, UK parliamentary supporters and government departments engaged in humanitarian medical response.
Medical Operations Executive, spearheading Project Sunflower.
sofia.petryk@storks.org.ukChief Executive Officer, STORKS Charity.
Chief Medical Officer, SkyCare Repatriation; Chair of Trustees, STORKS Charity.
Project Sunflower operates under STORKS' registered charitable governance in the United Kingdom. A Ukrainian branch of the charity has been registered; the registration number will be published shortly. Governance documentation is available on request to clinical, government and institutional partners.
We welcome contact from NHS trusts, government departments, grant-making bodies, clinicians and hospitals in Ukraine, and organisations able to support transport, accommodation or specialist treatment costs.
Medical Operations Executive - Project Sunflower lead. Ukrainian heritage; happy to respond to enquiries from clinical, government and institutional partners.
sofia.petryk@storks.org.uk