Sudbury man Alan Deakins, 79, to cycle to Ukraine in aid of Superhumans Center in Lviv

A 79-year-old man from Sudbury, who is gearing up to cycle to war-torn Ukraine in aid of a medical centre, has raised more than £2,500 so far.

Alan Deakins, known as the 'Old Hippie on a Bike', will begin riding from his home in Friars Street on June 15, before sailing from Harwich and embarking on a solo journey across Holland, Germany and Poland to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv.

He has been personally invited to the specialist clinic to meet staff and patients, where support is provided and limbs are made for those who have lost arms, legs, faces and more during the war.

After reading about the stories that have come out of Ukraine over the last few years, Alan has become more and more saddened by what he’s seen and heard.

Alan said: “Since the Russian invasion, it is conservatively estimated that 60,000 Ukrainians including children have lost one or more limbs which is just so staggering and horrid.

“I’ve seen so much of the pain that’s been going on and it breaks my heart. It makes me quite emotional and really plays on my mind.

“I saw a story where a young girl and her father were trying to escape the invasion and a sniper shot the father who died instantly.

“The girl was shot in her left arm and it was left completely shattered. She was in the car for at least a day until she was rescued.

“I deeply admire their spirit, stoicism, courage and their refusal to give up in spite of the seemingly insurmountable odds.”

Alan, who has been a volunteer listener at Samaritans in Bury St Edmunds for the last decade, is taking a tent on his travels and will be camping overnight most of the way on his journey to Ukraine.

He has not decided yet when he will be returning to England or if he will be riding his electric bike back.

So far, he has received £2,573 of donations on his JustGiving page and is keen to raise funds beyond his £5,000 target.

“It’s nice seeing how much I’ve raised so far but personally I would love it if we could get closer to £10,000,” Alan said.

“Superhumans is the most remarkable charity and the staff there are so dedicated and tireless.

“These heroic people deserve all the support and awareness they can get as they are working incredibly hard to give people hope and a chance at life.

“I read a quote from the novelist Terry Pratchett who said ‘the worst thing you can do is nothing’. I took that as a personal message. I just can’t sit and do nothing. I want to help.”

Alan’s charity ride to Ukraine is not the first time he’s undertaken a journey of long distance cycling.

After recovering from a stroke, he rode his bicycle from St Petersburg back to England in 2018, aged 72.

Four years later, he set off on a 4,000km trip to visit Nazi death camps to raise funds for Ukrainian civilians who had been injured following conflict with Russia.

“My ride to Ukraine is not my first cycling rodeo so a trip like this always excites me,” Alan said.

“I’ve never had a really bad experience or met bad people during my trips. I’ve never been frightened and have always been supported.

“I know what it’s like being on the road and being alone. I’m not frightened. It will be an adventure and an emotional rollercoaster I’m sure.

“Admittedly, I’m old. But I’m still riding, I’m still relevant and I can still make a difference.”