Preparation for Run 40 – Ukraine Fundraiser 2022

Plans are already well underway for the next run and I can now announce that we have been donated a VW T4 which will be going to Ukraine as soon as it has been prepared. Many thanks go to Guy Ticehurst for his work in securing this valuable donation and also a massive thank you to the German couple who donated the vehicle.

In between runs the work continues. Today I collected a substantial amount of high quality mixed aid including medical and surgical also mobility aids from the wonderful Lynn Atkinson. Lynn tirelessly collects aid and raises funds for Ukraine along with other lovely ladies in and around the Blyton area. Thank you so much for your support Lynn and “the girls” it means so much both to us and the people of Ukraine.

MikeI had a visit from Steve Lelew and Eduards Miltiņš with some more aid. Eduards brought an electric scooter which will be probably be used for parts and Steve brought some boxes of “well in date” surgical wipes. Thank you guys plans are well underway for my next run.

Loading and documenting what goes on the van is a big task – a massive thank you to Malachi Piatt and Shaun Yarrow-Foster for your help with sorting aid. Your help saved me spending the whole day doing it on my own. Also a big thank you to Russ for your offer of assistance too. It would have been a case of too many cooks on this occasion but thank you all so much.

Also, on 27th July, yesterday Karlos Harrison and myself travelled over to Elaine’nAndy Cropper ‘s place to collect a substantial amount of medical and sanitary aid. Many thanks to Karl Harrison for his assistance whilst I wait for surgery on my hands and also a massive thank you to Andy C and Kendray Hospital Barnsley for the aid.

Mike then popped over to Weeze, Germany, to spend time preparing the donor van for TÜV so we can drive it out. A massive thank you to both Guy Ticehurst and Elmar Freikamp for their assistance. The amount of work required was (as usual) more than anticipated but there now only remains a couple of jobs to sort. Elmar and Guy will sort these. We are so lucky to be able to do the work ourselves thus saving well over €1000 in labour costs. Thanks guys for your support.

Many thanks to Karl Harrison and Martin at Scunthorpe United for this very important donation. It’s going to be a busy week before I leave for Germany on Sunday. Just one more job to do on the donation van and then Guy and myself will toddle off to Ukraine

Back in Winterton, the serious business of the final loading of the van was underway with much needed help from Malachi Piatt:

This saw the van as approx. 1/3rd full – there was more to be done!

Finally done! Mykee Hockham ‘s biggest load in ages for the Ukrainians is all weighed and packed ready to be handed out to Ukrainian charities that we work with over there.
1100 KG of aid from bandages and medicines to children’s toys and mobility aids!
Big shout out and love to everyone who has donated. Five hours and more than a few laughs and near squishings by boxes of sanitary pads later and we definitely deserve a cup of tea – with Ukraine Fundraiser , Annie Hockham and Mary Cavill

With the van filled and paperwork completed, Mike is ready to go!
Please follow the Ukraine Fundraiser 2022 Facebook page for in-run updates a trip summary will be posted here after the run is completed!