A RETIRED army major boarded a homemade tin boat to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.
Michael Stanley, known as Major Mick, travels the seas and rivers of southern England on his boat, named Tintanic II.
On Friday, the 81-year-old set out from Chichester Yacht Club in Birdham for the first leg of his challenge aboard the boat, which was decked out in Ukrainian flags.
Mr Stanley, who is based in Chichester, hopes to raise £5,000 for Children on the Edge – a charity based in Moldova and Romania which supports refugees from war in Ukraine.
Michael Stanley, known as Major Mick
He had previously covered 100 miles rowing at 2mph twice a week along the Chichester Canal in December 2020, and a further 100 miles at 20 locations across the country.
Mr Stanley, who sold his original boat for £480 for charity, is using his second version, Tintanic II, for his latest fundraising bid.
“After doing the canals, I want to do something a little saltier, a little more edgy, so this year I’m taking off.
“I have a target of £5,000 because all my friends have already donated and maybe people are a little tougher than before.
“But anyway we all have a lot of fun and it’s fun for me and I really like talking to people when I’m on the go.”
Mr Stanley, who served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for 35 years, said the continued coverage of the war in Ukraine motivated him to support the refugees.
He added: “We have seen such terrible images on TV and people are in dire straits and anything I can do to help in a very small way will help in some way.”
The veteran said he had an open target of around 50 miles for the challenge, depending on the weather.
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-30 11:20:59