Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Inna and I am a refugee from Ukraine after Russia invaded on 24 February 2022. The war changed the lives of ordinary people, many of whom lost homes, beloved ones and jobs. My mother had to flee our native city of Kharkiv, which Russia is now wiping off the map of the world. My grandmother lost her home too. Many of my friends ended up in situations where they did not have food to eat or water to drink. They are spending days underground in basements, trying to save their lives.

I am lucky to be in the UK with a part of my family, who truly cares for me. But I would like to do more. A few years ago I used to run a lot. I completed dozens of half-marathons in Ukraine and Europe. This March I ran Cardiff half-marathon. I have not trained for more than a year but this did not stop me from proudly running the race for my country, for my home, for my beloved ones. 

I have decided to run as many races as possible in the UK and Europe to raise awareness of the horrific war in Ukraine. I believe that by showing the Ukrainian flag, running together with other people, and sharing my family’s experience with them it will bring people closer to Ukrainians.

I encourage you to support my fundraising campaign to collect money for Disaster Emergency Committee, which will be matched by the UK Government and send to Ukraine. Every pound matters. Your donation can make a difference to a Ukrainian who tries to survive while the terrible war keeps on breaking their normal lives.

I will be publishing my running updates here. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Maybe we will even see each other at some races. I will be having a Ukrainian flag on my shoulders so I think you won’t miss me.

Just to add a few words on how I feel.

I am deeply hurt to see what is happening to my home. My mom has to hide in the basement. She usually asks me whether Russia will bomb all night long. And I feel desperate when I am not able to give her an answer. My grandmother tells me how much she is scared to lose her life in such a unfair way. And I feel hurt that she has to go through these rough times.

For Ukrainians, the dates and days of the week have disappeared, and the counting of the days of the war has begun. Every day Ukrainians prove how strong and United we are, how much freedom and support we give each other and how much we love and value our country.

I am utmost proud of being a Ukrainian, of our rich culture and brave people, of our drive for freedom and independence. I truly believe that we will win this war, liberating the world from Russia’s aggressive politics and ensuring the safety of European countries. But I would like everyone to remember these words: If we fall, you fall. Between you and Russia there is us, defending the values of freedom, unity and justice. We now pay the highest price to have peace.

It seems that now Ukrainians will understand each other without words. With tears in their eyes.

Thank you for your attention and contribution!

Kind regards,

Inna