THE STORY
THE INSPIRATION
In April 2022, Simon Brake responded to a Next Door Community message from a Ukrainian expat appealing for people to drive vehicles to Poland for onward transfer to help Ukraine.
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Before setting off, Simon hadn’t fully appreciated that the vehicle itself, in this case a 4x4 pick up, was of even more importance than the aid inside, as it was destined to be used by medics to access and transport sick and injured people from dangerous areas.
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Soon after the first journey, Gavin Emsden, Simon’s local friend in Teddington, also drove over to Poland with a 4x4.
THE PLAN OF ACTION
Upon their return, they contacted various charities, NGOs and medical groups in the UK, Poland and
Ukraine, including International Christian Medical and Dental Association, Christian Medical
Association Ukraine and Save the Children, who have all confirmed that there is an urgent need for
vehicles in Ukraine.
THE MISSION
The two of them, along with their friend Charlie Blackburn, then set up Mighty Convoy Ltd., a not-for-profit company, working in conjunction with the charity EmbraceMe (registered with Charity Commission for England and Wales no. 1172342), to help more.
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Its main objectives are to raise funds through donations to buy (or receive donated) second hand Ambulances and 4x4 vehicles, to send to organisations in Ukraine which need them, whilst also transporting aid.
THE CONVOY
The first convoy organised by Mighty Convoy was in early August 2022 and was featured in Autocar magazine
Enough funds were raised to purchase 3 ambulances. Finding good ones was pretty tricky but eventually we connected with a really good outfit in the West Midlands.
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They supplied 3 ambulances in very good condition.
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Find out more about our trip here.
