A Stamford man has been 'mustering the troops' in the hopes of raising enough money to send a 4x4 medivac vehicle to Ukraine.

Jack Bon Holly, a local man, is leading an initiative to raise £5,000 for a medivac 4x4 to ship to Ukraine.

In 1940 the people of Stamford, Lincolnshire, came together to raise £5,000 to fund the Stamford Spitfire.

While this sort of money won't buy a Spitfire, the Stamford man is keen to deliver a medivac vehicle for the same cost.

He explained that this 1940s story of goodwill and giving "has moved me to ask Stamford to repeat that fantastic gesture."

Mr Holly said: "Today, in 2023, as war rages once again in Europe and threatens the safety of us all, I am asking you to act in the spirit of the generations that came before you and raise another £5,000.

"This time, rather than a fighter plane, the funds are desperately needed for a 4x4 medivac vehicle that can operate off-road on the front line in one of the most hostile parts of Eastern Ukraine. It will be used to deliver urgently needed food and medical supplies and to evacuate civilians and the wounded caught up in this horrifying conflict."

Residents have already begun donating money to the cause, with some giving £10 and others giving £100 - and with times begin tough, all donations are greatly appreciated by the team. So far, £435 has been raised.

Once the full amount has been raised and a vehicle purchased, Mr Holly will be personally delivering it.

He said: "This vehicle, and any others we can muster, will be personally delivered by me (or my fellow volunteers) directly to Project Konstantin, a humanitarian aid and medivac coalition doing incredible work on the frontline, and behind the scenes, in partnership with many other voluntary aid organisations, charities and individuals from around the world.

"I intend to remain with Project Konstantin working with them wherever I am most needed and I promise, as far as I am able, to keep our donors updated about the numerous ways the Stamford 4x4(s) will be used to deliver essential supplies and to save lives.

"Like the spitfires of the Battle of Britain the life expectancy of a 4x4 medivac vehicle in the front line 'hot zone' is not to envied and replacements are in ever-constant and desperate need."

A minimum of £5,000 will buy a suitable 4x4 vehicle.

A little more than £5,000 will ensure it is serviced properly for the rough work ahead and pay for fuel and ferry costs to get it where it is needed. It might even allow for some spare parts and a few minor upgrades, like internal steel plating, for the arduous tasks ahead.

A lot more than £5,000 will help to fill it with desperately needed trauma kit, like combat grade tourniquets, chest seals, haemostatic wound dressings, and other much needed medical supplies and equipment.

In real terms, £5,000 is just a fraction of the money raised in 1940. Today that same figure would amount to over £350,000.

Mr Holly concluded: "Our target is less than 1.5% of the original sum and seems so little to ask to support the extremely dangerous, yet absolutely essential, voluntary work Project Konstantin is doing on the frontline.

"And please, don't forget to check your garages and outbuildings! You might already have a 4x4, an old ambulance, or a high-top van we could convert into a basic field ambulance, that you don't really need anymore! Your generosity WILL save lives.

"Any spare money left over that we are unable to use to directly fund the aims of the Stamford 4x4 project will be passed, in full, to Project Konstantin where it will be used for similar purposes. Please dig deep and make Stamford proud."

Donate here.