Crafting tomorrow’s furniture heirlooms, but today delivering a 4×4 to Kyiv

Alasdair Sandy is probably now better known for crafting some beautiful and bespoke items of furniture in his Collingbourne studio / workshop that may well become the heirlooms of generations to come, but today he’s applying his craft and skills to the finishing touches on a VW Tiguan that he will be delivering to a medic in Kyiv quite soon.

Inspired by Simon Ellis whose made similar deliveries of cars to Ukraine for the use of the medics, Alasdair has worked his restoration magic on a 2010 Tiguan that if it hadn’t turned left at that metaphorical ‘old car T-junction’, following that sign marked ‘to restoration’, it could have turned right, down the route that leads to the scrapyard.

Now legal, roadworthy, new MOT and doing what VW’s of the past were aways fabled to do – keep on going – the Tiguan is being loaded with mechanical spare parts, medical supplies and humanitarian aid, all donated by the local community. And then off through Europe to Ukraine.

“I’ve always loved fixing things—whether it’s a broken chair or a beat-up car. This project gave me a way to use that skill to help people. It just made sense.” Said Alasdair, giving a bit of understanding to any question of ‘why?’.

Alasdair’s normal focus is wood. Turning what might appear to be nondescript chunks of ash, oak, cherry and other woods into works of beauty, practicality and desire. Alasdair’s website is here.

He started his business – Alasdair Sandy Furniture in 2022 having graduated with first-class honours in Furniture Design & Craftsmanship from Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Oxford. Under the banner ‘Creating tomorrow’s heirloom furniture today,‘ his workshop specialises in bespoke pieces that marry Mid-Century Modern clarity with Scandinavian minimalism. Every commission – from English-cherry desks to glueless stacking chairs – is designed in close dialogue with each client to ensure the final piece feels completely at home.

So now it’s the turn of the cars, soon again it will be back to the wood. To help Alasdair and follow his progress he can be seen on Instagram at @drive4ukraine but he’s always looking for help with what he’s taking with him, so hand tools, car parts, first-aid supplies, and non-perishable food are welcome. Donations can be arranged via Instagram DMs or by emailing drive4ukraine@gmail.com.