Willard Conservation Equipment Engineers of Chichester have donated a conservation suction table worth over £50,000 to The National Centre for Restoration in Kyiv, Ukraine to assist with the protection and conservation of heritage objects in the war-torn country.

Rescuing priceless works of art and items of cultural significance is anything but easy at the best of times, but in countries like Ukraine suffering conflict, the brave work undertaken by conservators still in Ukraine demonstrates selfless commitment to their country's heritage. Willard hopes that by providing the first table of its kind in the country, the lives of professionals still working in the country will be made a lot easier with this vital pieces of conservation equipment. Measuring at 3.5meters x 2.5meters, this table is one of the largest in the world.

Painting Conservator-Restorer, Katya Belaia-Selzer has been a vital link to fellow conservators in Ukraine and has been instrumental in the organisation of this donation, Katya recently commented on the awful news of museums in occupied regions in Ukraine being looted and completely emptied. "The table is going to make a big different and will undoubtedly be a huge moral boost for our Ukrainian colleagues. I keep this image in my head of visiting Kyiv soon when the war is won and seeing their wonderful conservation department all beautifully equipped."

To support the donation, our regular shipping partner, P&M Packing of Eastleigh have kindly donated the shipping case to ensure safe delivery of the table, which is planned to commence in the very near future.

Paul Willard, CEO at Willard Conservation said, "we feel compelled to help the conservation community in Ukraine in their time of extreme adversity. Preservation of the world's priceless works of art and historic media is paramount importance and we're pleased to be able to help in this small but nevertheless, important way".