MSP boss to make virtual journey to Kyiv to raise £150,000 for Ukrainian refugees

Tim Walker of Aura Technology is appealing for sponsorship to assist the ongoing efforts to help the people of Ukraine

The managing director of Southampton-based MSP Aura Technology is to walk and run the equivalent of the 1,500 miles to Kyiv on Hampshire's roads and pathways in a bid to raise £150,000 for Ukrainian refugees.

Tim Walker will cover at least six miles each day until the end of 2022, when he plans to have reached the equivalent distance to Kyiv's Independence Square.

The goal is to raise sponsorship for each mile of at least £100 from local businesses and businesspeople. All proceeds will go directly to UNICEF UK - who assist child refugees in Europe.

"When you consider what the people of Ukraine are currently going through - particularly the women and children - it beggars' belief and I want to take action in some way to highlight the importance of raising some money to assist their cause," Walker said.

"Over two million people have gone from having normal lives, to being displaced in neighbouring countries, with absolutely nothing but the goodwill of those countries and the agencies working there.

"We have to act quickly, and the business community in the South is in prime position to help this cause.

"I am recovering from four years of knee injuries and surgeries, but feel this is such a huge humanitarian issue, that I will put myself through a fraction of what the Ukrainian population is dealing with, to ensure that I complete the 1500-mile challenge well before the end of 2022."