We're running 100km in 10 days to raise money for Ukrainians in need

We (Ollie and Dima) are Ukrainian-New Zealanders who emigrated here when we were 9 and 14.

We’re lucky enough to be safe in Auckland, while we watch in horror as our home country has been plunged into a horrific war that is killing, injuring and displacing peaceful Ukrainians.

Along with our younger brother Andy, we’re running 100km in 10 days in April to raise funds to support family and friends who are caught up in the war.

The money will go directly to help the following people:

- Our cousin Pasha, his wife Ira and their 2 year old son (Pictured above). Pasha is an officer in the Ukrainian Army, & a former UN Peacekeeper in Kosovo - he’s now on active duty fighting in Eastern Ukraine in the epicentre of the catastrophe. His wife and son sheltered in their basement for two weeks, then managed to escape to Western Ukraine - however they wont leave Ukraine (or Pasha) at this stage, and need help to fund accommodation and basic necessities.

- Yulia Kazmina, a good friend of Ollie’s from their time at University in Budapest. Yulia’s grandmother and mother are in Odessa, while her male relatives have joined the territorial defence. They need money for protective clothing & equipment.

- Denis Sahaidak, a childhood friend who is trying to evacuate from Kyiv.

We appreciate any donation at all! If you’d prefer to donate direct to NGOs please do so - there are some suggestions below.

Thank you everyone for your outpouring of support and love for the Ukranian people!

Slava Ukraini!