Donation by F1 boss Alistair Caldwell filmed helping Ukraine

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Nathan Briant & Phil MercerBBC News

Driving Ukraine John Caldwell, sat in a vehicle, is wearing a white hat and Fynn Watt, is leaning through the vehicle's left front window, as they both pose for the picture with a sign for Ukraine visible through the vehicle's back windscreen.Driving Ukraine

Mr Caldwell (left) has been a consistent supporter of Driving Ukraine since it was set up by Mr Watt

A pick-up truck donated to the Ukrainian war effort by former world championship winning Formula 1 team manager Alastair Caldwell has been filmed defending its capital city Kyiv.

Mr Caldwell donated the vehicle via the volunteer organisation Driving Ukraine, which has delivered 241 vehicles, organised 46 convoys and raised more than £1.6m to help the country.

The former McLaren manager and Maidenhead resident, who oversaw James Hunt’s 1976 world championship win, delivered the Toyota Hilux to Lviv in July.

Driving Ukraine was set up in 2022 by the then 21-year-old Fynn Watt, from Deddington, Oxfordshire, who put his degree apprenticeship on hold to drive supplies to the country.

Getty Images Alistair Caldwell is pictured on the right at the French Grand Prix with James Hunt, who is looking at his watch and is dressed in a F1 kit, in July 1978 in a black and white picture.Getty Images

Mr Caldwell (right) oversaw James Hunt’s 1976 world championship win

Mr Watt was given the highest civilian honour a volunteer can receive from the Ukrainian military in 2023 and earlier this year was given a golden medal by Lviv City Council for his efforts.

Mr Caldwell praised Mr Watt’s work, which he has been a consistent supporter of.

He knows Mr Watt’s father Angus through his ownership of classic car company Greatworth Classics, based near Banbury.

“Fynn’s doing a great job and it has snowballed. It’s a fantastic organisation and a very good thing,” Mr Caldwell said.

He gave half of about £100,000 raised by the auction of four classic cars to Driving Ukraine earlier this year, with the other half going to Thames Hospice.

Driving Ukraine A group of about 20 people standing on the side of a road cheering, with a sign for Ukraine behind them. Alastair Caldwell is pictured with a group of three other people stood at the back of the Toyota Hilux pick-up.Driving Ukraine

The Toyota formed part of Driving Ukraine’s 45th convoy and it has since completed its 46th

Driving Ukraine A grainy photo in which a gun is shown being fired, with a soldier on the back of the pick-up truck donated by Alistair Caldwell. Driving Ukraine

Footage shared by Driving Ukraine showed the donated vehicle being used in the Ukraine war effort

“Lviv is the very west so it gets attacked but not like the east,” Mr Caldwell told BBC Radio Berkshire about the delivery of the vehicles in July.

“We did have an air raid warning while we were there. I didn’t really feel under threat myself but I know that it would make some people nervous.”

Mr Watt added: “Since the beginning, Driving Ukraine has been about action, not standing and watching.

“Alastair’s career and life was about action and he brought that to us, his support shows how one person’s commitment can ripple outward, from Maidenhead to Kyiv, protecting entire cities.

“This vehicle represents our mission, turning generosity and courage to do what’s right into life-saving action.”

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