A group of Teddington residents and regular drinkers at The Adelaide pub have rallied round to provide a much-needed 4x4 vehicle to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

Nick Darke set up a crowdfund campaign in early May to raise money towards the purchase of the £2000 Suzuki Jimny, which set off from the pub in Park Road to the war-stricken region yesterday.

Over £1000 was raised by the pub and the vehicle has been upgraded with off-road tyres, special headlights, a winch and a snorkel, which makes it perfectly-equipped for aid runs.

Nick, who is making the 1,406 mile journey with his close friend Graham Belgum who served in the British army for 25 years, took the ferry to Dunkirk and will then drive on to the Polish border near Lviv, where they hope to arrive tomorrow (fri) and hand over the vehicle to Ukraine officials.

In total the crowdfunding appeal has raised over £2500 which has funded ten radios with a six to nine kilometre range, two large jerry cans, 40 burn packs.

Before leaving, Nick said: "We've had an amazing response from people either wanting to donate or get involved, from The Adelaide's generous customers to the vehicle owner who gave us a discount and a full tank of petrol, and the mechanics that MOT'd it for free. It's been a real team effort and Graham and I are both looking forward to getting the vehicle to where it is so desperately needed. 

"We want to be able to supply more 4x4s in the future too, so we'd be enormously grateful for any donations via our Crowdfunder appeal or offers of support to source or deliver future vehicles."

They also want to raise funds to provide non-perishable food and vital medical supplies.

advertisement

If you want to get involved in helping to supply these support vehicles to Ukraine go to: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/4x4-to-polandukraine-border