A generous collector of emergency vehicles has serviced and prepped the appliance and has offered to supply 'Marjorie', named after my late Mum, at a discounted price of £5,000 - a saving of £2,500 on market value.

'Marjorie's' mechanical condition is excellent. Her 8.3 litre Cummings engine runs very smoothly and her pumps are in tip-top condition. There's also a vast crew cab which will be packed with medical and humanitarian aid for distribution in Ukraine.

Though 'Marjorie' is a superlative machine, at 8 to 9mpg fuel economy is not her forte. The journey to Ukraine will burn through approximately 190 gallons of diesel, costing around £1,600.

The balance of funds raised should cover other expenses, including ferries, road tolls, luxury Formula 1 accommodation in prime industrial sites across Poland, instant noodles and buckets or coffee. Hopefully there'll be a few quid left in the kitty to return me and my co-driver to Northumberland.

I do have form in respect of charitable drives, having journeyed from Northumberland through Syria and Lebanon to Jordan in late 2011, donating a car to Action Against Hunger. More recently in 2018/19, together with a colleague, I drove down West Africa in a former British Transport Police 4x4, crossing the Sahara to Bamako, Mali. The expedition raised almost £8,000 for the British Heart Foundation and other worthy causes.

It seems odd to be setting out again on so short a journey, to a European country beleaguered by war. However, I know from partners in Ukraine that the fire engine will provide practical help to people most in need.

All donations large or small, will be very, very welcome.

Best,

Nick

(Any queries, drop me a line on 07767 603 145 or nickredmayne@gmail.com)