Rotarian from Germany starts 800-mile bike ride in Albion to NYC, Long Island to raise money for Ukraine

Thomas Hock sets $20,000 goal to fill truck with medical supplies

Photos by Tom Rivers: Thomas Hock of Munich, Germany left Albion this morning on the start of a two-week bike ride along the Erie Canal to Albany, then to New York City and Long Island. He has met half of his $20,000 fundraising goal to purchase medical supplies for people in Ukraine.

ALBION – Thomas Hock has set out on a mission to get medical supplies to the people in Ukraine. Hock is using a network of Rotarians to acquire the supplies a deep discount and then transport then from Germany to Poland and to the Ukraine border.

From there Rotary clubs in the Ukraine will get medical supplies, insulin and painkillers to people in need by delivering to clinics in the war-torn country.

Bruce Landis, left, hosted Thomas Hock last night. Bruce and Sue Landis live in Barre. Landis also helped Hock find a new bike after his was missing.

Hock started a bike ride in Albion this morning that will cover about 800 miles in the next two weeks. His goal is to raise $20,000 which he said will fill a truck with supplies. He already has raised about half of the $20,000.

“The people who suffer the most must bear it even though they aren’t responsible for it,” Hock said this morning by the Main Street lift bridge in Albion.

Hock, 54, assists families with financial planning in Munich, Germany. He is an avid cyclist and the trip along the Erie Canal by bike was suggested to him. He will ride to Albany then to New York City and Long Island.

He flew to Toronto but his bicycle wasn’t there waiting for him as planned. He believes it was stolen. He took Uber rides to get to the border.

Alex Krebs, president of the Albion Rotary Club, met him in Niagara Falls and brought him to Orleans County. Bruce Landis, another member of the Albion Rotary Club, helped Hock find a new bicycle at Bert’s Bike and Fitness in Buffalo. Landis and his wife Sue hosted Hock last night at their Barre home.

“I’ve already experienced love with Rotary friends who were complete strangers,” Hock said this morning. “All the help I’ve received is unbelievable.”

Hock plans to meet with other Rotarians along the way in Albany, Peeksville and New York City. His goal today is to ride about 75 miles to Newark.

For information about donating to the #ride4ukraine, click here.

Thomas Hock heads east on the Erie Canal in Albion this morning.