Generator bound for Ukraine to help during blackouts

A generator which had sat unused in a warehouse in Nottingham for eight years is being sent to Ukraine to help during electricity blackouts.

The occupants of the warehouse, who asked to remain anonymous, reached out to the charity Ukrainian Action to see if the 50-year-old generator could be made use of.

Simon Blincow, 62, a team leader for the charity, was sent to have a look at the generator which has enough power for 15-20 homes.

The two-tonne generator, which was restored by engineers, is set to be loaded on to a lorry bound for a water pumping facility in Ukraine on Wednesday.

Blincow, a retired police officer, said the warehouse storing the generator was due to be demolished when the company reached out in February.

"It was just by luck that one of the main guys [from Ukrainian Action] realised I lived in Nottingham and said, 'Could I go and have a look?'

"We said right we can make a go of it to see if we can get it started."

The generator, built in 1974, was used as a backup and is run by a six cylinder 9.6 litre diesel engine.

It will be used as a backup generator in eastern Ukraine in the event of power blackouts.

Ukrainian Action said the fuel system had seized, so they removed it, had it cleaned and re-calibrated.

An engine service was needed and the fuel pump was refitted and the engine rewired, the charity said, before the restoration was completed in mid April.

Engineer Nick Shaw, who worked on the restoration along with two other engineers, said: "I had rebuilt car engines many years ago but I have not really worked in detail on diesel engines.

"There has been a lot to learn.

"Together we just put our heads together and we just saw it as a challenge and researched our way through it.

"It was a pleasure really to be involved with."

Blincow has been volunteering with Ukrainian Action, which drives and donates vehicles filled with humanitarian and medical supplies, since 2022 following the conflict with Russia.

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