Help Paul (73) zijn autotje terug te halen

English Crowdfunding Text

Dear friends,

My name is Paul Vanderhoeven. I’m 73 years old and had to flee Ukraine in May 2022, where I had lived and worked for 13 years.

Due to the war, I had to leave behind my only car – a small Smart – on a paid parking lot in Romania. It has been standing there ever since, exposed to weather and time.

I now live in Belgium on a modest pension, most of which goes to rent and fixed costs. I have no savings and no access to a loan. My only family is my daughter, who is currently attending university and whom I try to support as best I can.

Because of my age and health – I had open-heart surgery with six bypasses – I now do all my errands by bicycle, including medical visits. This is getting harder, especially as winter approaches.

That’s why, with some hesitation, I am asking for your help.

To bring my car back and get it legally roadworthy, I need:

€1200 for parking fees (since 2022)

€650 for transport (without plates)

± €2000 for repairs (windshield, inspection, wear and tear)

Total: €3850

If the car turns out to be beyond repair, I will use the amount to buy a small second-hand car here in Belgium.

Any contribution – big or small – means a lot.

Thank you for reading and for sharing my story.

Paul Vanderhoeven