On the 7th of May, I will be taking on my first triathlon: the Ironman 70.3 Marbella. This will consist of a 1.9km Swim a 90km Bike ride, and a 21.1km Run.

Although this race will be my biggest challenge yet, it pales in comparison to the daily struggles faced by Ukrainian families from the onset of the full-scale war.

This is why I have chosen to raise funds for Children of Fallen Heroes of Ukraine. Specifically, children from my hometown in the south of Ukraine - Mykolaiv, whose parents tragically lost their lives defending the city. Owing to these soldiers, Mykolaiv was able to withstand Russian aggression and receive an honorary title of “Hero City of Ukraine”.

With your generous donations, we will purchase gifts and distribute them on the National Day of Children Protection – 1st of June. The youngest will receive development supporting games. The pre-teens and teenagers will receive headphones and power banks, helping them stay connected during power outages. I will be coordinating the support efforts with local friends and family, who will ensure that all donations reach their intended recipients.

Your generosity and compassion can make a meaningful difference to the lives of those who have lost not only their childhood, but also their loved ones. Each donation, no matter how small, will help bring a smile to the faces of little Ukrainians! Thank you for your support. Слава Україні! (Glory to Ukraine!)

You can follow my training progress on Instagram - @irossman2023