On the first weekend of August, 15-year-old Anton will cycle from his home in Manchester to Tarasivka in Derbyshire – the site of the Ukrainian Youth Association’s annual summer camps. The ride is over 140km long. At the start of this year, Anton had never cycled more than 20km.

Anton is undertaking this demanding challenge to raise funds for 100 Deeds to Victory, an initiative launched by the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russian aggression. He will be joined on the ride by his dad, Martyn, and his uncles, Petro and Ewhen.

The 100 Deeds to Victory campaign is part of CYM’s 100th anniversary efforts. It plays a crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and to date, has internationally transported over 200 shipments of essential supplies including food, medical kits, clothing, and equipment.

This cause is deeply personal to Anton. His mother was born in Ukraine, and before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he visited his grandparents in Sumy every summer. He is heartbroken by what is happening in Ukraine – especially in Sumy, where missile strikes on civilian areas are a regular occurrence.