Former England football captain and actor David Beckham recently handed over his Instagram account and other social media handles to a Ukrainian doctor to highlight the “amazing” work that health workers are doing in the country. Beckham has handed over his Instagram account, with 70 million followers, to Irina, head of the Regional Perinatal Center in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where she cares for pregnant people and children during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Beckham spoke about the initiative in a video he shared on his Instagram account and called on people to donate to charities that support Ukraine.
“Today I am handing over my social channels to Irina, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Perinatal Center in Ukraine, where she is helping mothers give birth. To learn more about the amazing work, go to the highlights of my story. Irina and her health workers are working to save lives in Ukraine.” Give what you can to support people like @UNICEF and Irina using the donation link in my bio. “
In her highlighted video, Irina explains that in general, “in peacetime,” she is “the head of Kharkiv’s regional perinatal center and a pediatric anesthesiologist.”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in late February, Irina explained in subsequent Instagram story posts, her responsibilities have expanded, “I unload goods, I work in logistics and I offer emotional support.”
Speaking openly about the first days of the attack, the doctor said that the patients were evacuated to the basement, although the children had to stay in the intensive care unit despite the risk due to immovable life-saving equipment.
“The first days were the hardest. We had to learn how to deal with bombings and attacks,” he said.
David and his wife, Victoria Beckham, had earlier started an urgent application for UNICEF through its 7 Funds. The nonprofit is based in Ukraine and provides immediate assistance to children and families affected by the Russian attack, Fox News reported.
Several celebrities, including Mila Kunis, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Andrew Garfield, Mark Raffaello and Ryan Reynolds, have expressed their support for Ukraine.
Recently, Megan Merkel and Prince Harry have donated to numerous charities in Ukraine.
On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls from Donetsk and the breakaway republics of Luhansk for help in countering the Ukrainian military aggression. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the special operation was aimed only at Ukraine’s military infrastructure.