CREAM teas, a big marquee, lots of red, white and blue, Pimms and plenty of space for families to spread themselves out were all part of the Coronation celebrations at Down St Mary on Saturday afternoon.

Among all the people enjoying the party in the sun was resident John Wilton who decided to mark his 50th birthday earlier this year by taking 50 medical packs to Ukraine this summer.  A Devon and Cornwall Police Officer, John will be riding his motor bike from Devon to Lviv, Ukraine with 50 IFAK Medical packs for distribution to the frontline.

Wearing his Union Flag jacket, John had his bike on show in the big marquee on the field by the parish church, boosting the funds for the Medical Packs.  

He has ties with Ukraine and will be riding to Calais to spend the night before setting off.   He aims to complete the 1,066 mile section in less than 24 hours to highlight how close Ukraine is to the UK.

At £107, each kit comes in an IFAK pouch and contains a vital trauma first aid kit designed for immediate life-saving use such as two tourniquets, vented chest seals, fabric sheers, coagulating agents and more.

John’s motor cycle is a BMW GS Adventure, designed for longer trips.  Vertu BMW Motorrad Exeter will service his bike before he sets off and tyres have been donated by Michelin UK.

“We need to be more aware just how close to us Ukraine is.  Something not many people realise,” said John.

He has a Just Giving site to help raise funds for the kits.  He is grateful that an hotel in Belgium is donating a bed for the night on his return trip.  John will be paying for his fuel.  

For more information email John at: [email protected] .