УКР Geof Whitnall is a healer, an entrepreneur, and a man who has spent his entire life helping others. Today, he lives in Belgium and France — and supports Ukrainian frontline medics from thousands of miles away.
Geof first learned about Leleka Foundation and its mission through the Kyiv Independent, which he has supported for over a year — including contributing $10,000 to fund a journalists' retreat and helping purchase generators for children. When he read about Leleka and the work being done to equip frontline medics with tactical medical backpacks, he didn't hesitate.
"When I saw that you were making these packs up, it was fantastic. That's what I wanted to do — what I could to help."
His donation helped Leleka purchase 10 medical backpacks — 10 medics on the front line with the tools to save lives.
Geof is continuing to support Ukraine. Furthermore, he plans to visit Ukraine later this year not just as a donor, but as a healer, to work with people who have experienced trauma and stress from the war.
Leleka: Geof, how long have you been supporting Ukraine?
Geof: I've been sending money for at least a year, though I've been watching and following what's happening since the very beginning. It's totally appalling — especially the lack of response from the West at critical moments. That's what made me decide I needed to stop just watching and actually get involved.
Leleka: How did you first connect with Ukraine?
Geof: Through the Kyiv Independent. I started supporting their journalism — I believe independent media is absolutely crucial for Ukraine to prevail. I helped fund a journalists' retreat when they were short $10,000, and I've contributed to other initiatives since then, including generators for children.
Leleka: And how did you find Leleka?
Geof: Through the Kyiv Independent's newsletter. I read about the work Leleka was doing — equipping frontline medics with tactical medical backpacks — and I thought, I must help these people. When I saw the packs being made up, it was fantastic. Really good. That's exactly the kind of direct, tangible help I wanted to give.
Leleka: Your donation helped us purchase 10 medical backpacks — 10 medics on the front line equipped to save lives.
Geof: That means a great deal to me. I'll carry on supporting as much as I can.
Leleka: You`ve visited Ukraine once. Do you plan to do this again?
Geof: I'm a healer. I work with people to remove trauma and stress — physical blockages that accumulate in the body. Towards the end of this year, I want to go to Ukraine — whether Kyiv or elsewhere — and work with people who have been traumatized by the war. Soldiers, civilians, anyone who needs it.
Leleka: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became a healer?
Geof: I was born psychic. As a child I always sensed things others didn't. When I was 17, my father died suddenly at 45. I've been healing ever since. Over the years I built companies, employed people to run them, and used that freedom to focus on healing. In 2002, I was diagnosed with cancer. I came to France, and I cleared it myself. Since then I've worked with others facing cancer as well.
Leleka: Do you have any sense of how this war ends?
Geof: I get feelings about things. And my feeling is that momentum is gathering. Putin is becoming more and more isolated — and this always happens to people like him. They build something around themselves that gradually destroys them. Ukraine will endure.
