Retired army major sets sail in tin boat to raise money for Ukrainian refugees
"Major Mick" is taking to the water in his homemade boat Tintanic II
An adventurer from West Sussex has dusted off his homemade tin boat to take to the water again.
Retired army major Mick Stanley is planning to row Tintanic II on the rivers of the south coast for his latest fundraising challenge.
"Major Mick" has previously raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
The 82-year-old is now hoping to collect at least £5,000 for Children on the Edge, a Chichester-based charity supporting refugees from the war in Ukraine.
Dressed in a Union Jack suit, Mr Stanley set off from Chichester Yacht Club at Birdham for the first leg of his challenge on board his boat decked out in Ukrainian flags.
Further trips will include the Beaulieu river in the New Forest, the River Medina on the Isle of Wight and the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London.
Mr Stanley, who served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for 35 years, said: "Having done the canals, I want to do something a bit more salty, a bit more edgy, so this year I am taking to the sea.
"I have a target of £5,000 because all of my friends have already given and perhaps people are a bit harder up than they were before.
"But anyway we are all having a lot of fun and it's fun for me and I really enjoy talking to people when I'm out and about."
Describing his motivation to support Ukrainian refugees, he said: "We have seen such terrible pictures on the television and people are in absolute dire straits and anything I can do to help in a very small way will go some way to helping."
Mr Stanley said he had an open target of about 50 miles for the challenge, depending on the weather.
He said that the Tintanic II was up to the job and added: "It's very seaworthy, I have made a few alterations, the cross beam is now made of oak rather than plywood and it's pretty robust."
To donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tintanicforukraine