Former Cherries star John “Willo” Williams travelled to Poland to deliver aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Former Cherries star John “Willo” Williams has travelled to Poland to deliver aid to Ukrainian refugees. Beloved by former Cherries, West Ham and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Williams has collected donations, and will continue to do so, with three other Cherries’ fans.
Taking two full vans of essential aid, Williams was joined by David Joyner, Simon Cable and Gary Francis who are all lifelong friends. The journey started on Wednesday March 23, and arrived back in England on Monday March 28.
The team was working alongside the charity Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine who loaded the vans with necessary and essential items.
The former Cherries player said: “They are absolutely inundated with aid and therefore we want to inspire more people to help transfer the donations and items to Poland.
“We’re lacking in drivers, even if one more person or van travels there, it will be an extra three and a half tonnes of aid delivered to the refugees.”
The entire journey took four days, 2,500 miles, 13 hours of ferry crossings and 40 hours of driving to get to those in need.
The Cherries fans had to go into Ukraine and described it as an "awfully stressful and a scary time".
Vivienne Williams, John’s wife, expressed: “I can’t imagine the pain and horror these people are going through, it is unbelievably harrowing.”
The idea was originally created by Simon Cable and so far, they have raised £3382 out of their target of £10,000.
Gale Joyner has been managing the logistics of the journey which includes hiring vans and working out total costs. After realising it will cost around £3000 for one van to travel to Poland, the decision was made to increase the fundraiser target.
Any money donated went towards fuel, van hires, insurance, and incidentals to help the Cherries fans complete their journey. Any remaining donations will be donated to the Red Cross Urgent Appeal for Ukraine or towards a second trip.
Williams explained that ex-Cherries managers Harry Redknapp and Eddie Howe are planning to donate to the fundraiser.
Donators, Cherry fans, and Bournemouth residents can follow the completed journey and any other future events as Vivienne posts updates via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/653983872536607/?ref=newsfeed
Donate for Aid to Ukraine here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/arpj6-aid-to-ukraine?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=chat&utm_source=whatsApp