Former Marine Driving 1,000 Miles to Ukraine Border in Minibus Loaded with Supplies, Toys, and Blankets for Refugees
by Andy Corbley March 3, 2022
A former UK Royal Marine has loaded a 16-seater minibus with sleeping bags, pillows, and toys for refugees moving across the Ukrainian border into Poland and pledged to drive 1,000 miles to personally deliver them.
31-year-old Tom Littledyke from Lyme Regis began his journey on February 28th, saying he was inspired to act after seeing pictures of “families broken and separated by the conflict.”
Setting up a fundraiser, it took Littledyke just twelve hours to fill his minibus with supplies and collect £4,000 in donations ($5,300) for the trip.
“Too often do we think that we have to do something grand, and if it can’t be grand, what’s the point,” he told the BBC. “It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it’s something in the right direction. There’s so many of us who want to help. It will all build to this gigantic thing.”
The 1,000 mile (1,600 km) drive will take him and his cargo through England, France, Germany, and Poland before arriving at the border with Ukraine, where an alleged 500,000 refugees have fled. After unloading the supplies, he plans to utilize the bus to give rides to people who have a place to stay.
Littledyke’s partner will hold down the fort in his absence, which consists of two pubs and an Italian restaurant.
While it is said that war is hell, Good News Network knows that during times when the capacity for human malevolence is greatest, the capacity for compassion is greater.
The good news here is one man decided to do something to help Ukrainians. Today’s JohnKu reminds us to think of those in need. I hope you have a super weekend, and maybe you can think of a small way to help.
Little Acts by John W. Howell © 2022
Big efforts to help,
Can also use the support . . .
Of little kind acts.
Fiction Favorites 
God Bless us, everyone!
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Well said, Annette.
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A lovely story and to-the-point Haiku. Thanks for sharing, John. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
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You as well, Harmony.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing, Michael.
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Great work! Thanks for the information, John! Lets hope he will be save during his stay. xx Michael
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Quite a guy for sure. Thanks, Michael.
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What a touching story, John, of a big-hearted man taking action. A ‘spot on’ haiku from you. ❤
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Thank you, Jane. ❤️
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What a wonderful bit of news, John. Thanks for sharing it and for capturing its spirit in your poem.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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Have a terrific weekend as well, Dan.
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Such a uplifting story to send us into the weekend, John. ❤️
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Yes it is, Lori. Thanks.
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Wonderful story, John. Loved your Haiku. Often it’s the little acts of kindness multiplied that make the most impact. And God bless this man!
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My thoughts exactly, Joan. I hope you have a super weekend.
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful act of kindness, John.
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The news from there is just so awful I couldn’t help but try to find something good. Thanks, Jill.
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It’s heartbreaking…thanks, John.
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😊
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With all that’s going on and the media seemingly so focused on one topic – it would be fantastic if they would report this one as well. Thank you, John.
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Most are too busy looking for reasons to heap praise on a US administration that is doing very little.
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Unfortunately you’re right. After the State of the Union, I read the Associated Press analysis and whoa! the amount of lies was more than I first thought!!
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I think the whole administration is so lightweight they have to make up stories.
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Thank you for sharing this good news, John. A small bright spot in the darkness hanging over Ukraine. Your JohnKu is the perfect accompaniment.
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I appreciate your comment, Liz. The situation is so dire that good news is hard to find.
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You are so right about that.
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😁
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Now that’s an OH WOW story. A great find and a much great effort on his part … and all topped with a fitting JohnKu serving as icing on the cake.
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Thank you, Frank. 😊
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All I can say is, “God bless him! And speed him on his way.”
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That is a good thing to say, Noelle.
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Beautiful post, John. I love your haiku. Those “little kind acts” can have a huge impact. There are gestures that live with me – of someone reaching out or simply saying something kind during a period of great confusion or pain. We never know what another person is feeling, but a kind act can change their day – or their life. 💗
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I have always operated on the principle that we have no idea what someone else is going through so why not be nice. Thanks, Gwen.
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Beautiful, John. We’d have a different world if everyone embraced that principle. 😊
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Thanks, Gwen. 😁
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““It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it’s something in the right direction.” And there you have it. That’s true no matter the situation.
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I agree. Thanks, Linda
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Every little bit helps and inspires others to act. Such a heart-warming story, and what a wonderful thing this man is doing.
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Yes. He is something for sure.
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It’s nice to see someone doing kind things in this age, and I agree with his assessment that small acts of kindness are a worthy contribution. Thanks for sharing, John.
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I agree with that as well, Tim. Have a super weekend.
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Reblogged this on T. W. Dittmer and commented:
Every act of kindness counts.
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Thank you for sharing my post, Tim.
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In times of crisis one hand can help turn hell into heaven . . .
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So true, Pamela. Thank you.
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We hope that Hölderlin is right when he wrote “but where is danger, the saving also grows” (1803).
Indeed, dear John, small acts of kindness are necessary to support big efforts.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Klausbernd. I think Hölderlin is right. 😊
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Thanks for sharing this John. What is happening in the Ukraine is absolutely heartbreaking.
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I agree. It seems Putin is intent on bulling all of Europe.(and perhaps the world.)
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What a wonderful big-hearted gesture. He’s right, you know, every little bit counts.
Perfect haiku to go with.
Happy Friday John!
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Thank you, Dale. Wishing you the best day. 😊
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Thank you kind sir. It can only go up! I was greeted at work with a huge pile of dog poo… the VP brought his dog into the office and well… yeah!
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The VP sounds like a dog himself.
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Let’s just say there are a number here who would gladly do without him…
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😁
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🙂
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This is like the old starfish story. He helped some even if he can’t help them all.
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I got the same feeling. Thanks, Craig.
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That’s really cool.
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Good for him! I think there’s an anonymous saying — “A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses” — that applies here. Thanks for sharing this story, John, and enjoy your weekend.
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I like that saying, Debbie. have a great weekend as well.
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A wonderful story and your words are perfect, John. There are really no words to describe what Ukraine is enduring. It’s beyond heartbreaking. But thank you for sharing this inspiring story.
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Thank you, Lauren
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Heartwarming, John. All the little things we do add up into big things.
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They do, Denise.
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Uplifting, good John!
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Great, Billy Ray. 😁
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I LOVE this guy!!! He might well be one of my ‘good people’ soon, if you don’t mind! Thanks for sharing his story, John!
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Go right ahead.
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Tom is a beautiful man, and the light that is sorely needed in the middle of all this darkness. You always worry when the news-heads ponder as to how much worse things can get, because all of us folk of a certain age already know the answer to that one. And then a human being like Tom come along and shows us how much better we can hope for, and be.
You scored a real keeper with this one, Boss.
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Thanks, Marc.
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Great post.
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We can all use uplifting stories, especially right now. Thanks for sharing, John.
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Thank you, Pete
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I was at COSTCO today, John, and folks were shopping for supplies to send overseas for the Ukraine refugees. We’ll drop off our stuff tomorrow. My heart goes out to the people who are suffering at this moment and my respect and awe goes to those brave people fighting their enemy.
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Thanks for the information, Steve.
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Thank you for sharing this story. Such a great thing to do.
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Yes it is, Lauren. Thanks for the lovely comment.
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Top man. Top poem.
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Thank you, Geoff. 😊
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Thanks for sharing this heart-warming news, John.
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I thought we all could use news like this, Becky.
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That’s for sure!
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😊
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He’s a hero. Your poem is wonderful.
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Thank you, Deborah.
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😀
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Thank you for sharing this story. What a great guy!
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So true.
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I love it. LOVE it! Stories like this make the world go round, restore hope in humanity, and hopefully inspire others to do likewise. Thanks for making the world brighter by spreading this news around, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Betsy. 😁
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Today I was in a Zoom meeting and the presenter had this quote on the last slide of her presentation: “None of us can do everything but each of us can do something!” Mr. Littledyke’s “something” is quite impressive and uplifting. Thank you for sharing his story, John!
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It was a good story for sure. Thanks, Marie.
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Salute to Tom. 🙏🙏
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Amazing! It’s so refreshing to read stories like this one and know the world still has plenty of selfless people in it!
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Yes it is, Jan. Thank you.
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Wonderful story! The whole war is amazingly heart breaking.
Your JohnKu is right on. Thank you!
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It is heartbreaking Resa.
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This is super amazing
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Thank you, Bolanle. 😁
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[…] first of today’s ‘good people’ comes from our friend John Howell in his post of last […]
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Thank you for sharing my post, Jill. The true spirit of helping.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GOOOD NEWS—INDEED-!
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Thank you for sharing my post, Johnathan.
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