Craig Mackintosh: what happened to volunteer medic killed in Ukraine and how to donate to Go Fund Me page

A British man who was volunteering as a medic in Ukraine has been killed, according to his family.

Health worker Craig Mackintosh died "in the line of duty" on Wednesday 24 August, his sister Lorna Mackintosh said.

The Foreign Office said it was supporting the family, who are now raising money to bring his body back home to the UK.

But, just who was Craig Mackintosh, what happened to him, and how can you donate to the Go Fund Me page in his name?

Here’s what you need to know.

Who was Craig Mackintosh?

Mr Mackintosh, aged 48, and from Thetford, Norfolk, had been serving with the militia attached to the Ukrainian army when he was fatally injured.

Before his death, he had been speaking to his friend, George Dyson

Mr Dyson said the pair were last in touch via an encrypted messaging site on Thursday 18 August.

He said Mr Mackintosh told him his unit was under heavy fire, but also that he said he was looking forward to coming home.

Mr Dyson told the BBC that Mr Mackintosh had told him that the tour of the Ukraine was to be his “last hurrah, so to speak”.

"He said he had 46 days left until his flight home, and said ‘that’s it, I’m going back to gardening’."

What happened to Craig Mackintosh?

Writing on the fundraising page, Lorna Mackintosh said her brother had been killed in Ukraine.

Mr Mackintosh was on his second tour of the country and he was near the city of Kharkiv when he was shot.

She wrote: "Our brother bravely volunteered to go to [Ukraine] as a medic to help save lives in this war torn country.”

Posting a tribute to his friend on social media, Mr Dyson wrote that on the day Mr Mackintosh was killed, his "unit was pinned down and sustained casualties and Craig [being] a medic, did his job and was assisting in helping his fellow soldiers, and on running across open ground was unfortunately shot..."

He added: "I’ve just spoken to one of the guys that was attached to Craig’s team and he said that Craig fought with great bravery and [honour]."

Why did the Mackintosh family need financial support?

Lorna Mackintosh said the family needed to raise around £4,000 to bring Craig’s home.

Describing him as a “true hero”, she asked people to help raise the money required.

"This selfless man is currently stranded in a morgue in Ukraine and there is no help to get him home.

“"We have spoken to an international funeral provider and it’s going to cost around £4,000 to have him repatriated back to the UK.

"He gave his life to save others and he needs to come back home to have the service he deserves.

"A true hero’s service surrounded by his family and friends. Please, please help to bring our hero home."

Lorma Mackintosh had already raised more than £10,000 on a GoFundMe page to bring her brother’s body back to the UK at the time of writing.

Turner Funerals in Mr Mackintosh’s home town of Thetford is arranging for his body to be brought back to the UK.

Two of the funeral company’s staff will be driving the 1,600 miles to Ukraine and are working closely with the British Consulate and Ukraine police to bring Mr Mackintosh’s body home.

How can I donate to the Go Fund Me page?

It is still possible to donate to the Go Fund Me page in honour of Mr Mackintosh.

To donate, all you have to do is visit the Help Bring a Hero home fundraising page.