💙💛Running Together Again – Great North Run 2026💛💙

Sunderland. Ukraine. The Salvation Army. One Team. One Purpose.

Maryna Rahulina

Daria Kostiuchenko

Marharyta ‘Margo’ Marchenko

Inna Prokhorenko

Iryna Tsukanova

Peter Holmes

On 13 September 2026, we'll once again stand on the starting line of the Great North Run.

Last year, thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised more than we ever imagined. This year, we're back—not simply to run another 13.1 miles, but to go even further.

Because our journey didn't end last September.

A year has passed, and our story has changed. We are no longer simply people who were helped. We are colleagues, volunteers, parents, friends and neighbours. We are building new lives, contributing to our community, and today we proudly stand on the starting line—not asking for help, but raising it for others.

This run is our way of saying thank you.

Thank you to the people of Sunderland.

Thank you to the United Kingdom.

And thank you to The Salvation Army, whose kindness helped so many of us find our feet when we needed it most.

Their support wasn't just practical. It gave people dignity, confidence and the belief that tomorrow could be better.

Now it's our turn to give something back.

This year, Ukrainians and British friends will once again run side by side, proving that compassion has no nationality and community has no borders.

Every runner in our team has a story.

A story of leaving home.

A story of starting again.

A story of resilience.

But this is no longer only a story about surviving.

It's a story about belonging.

About giving back.

About standing shoulder to shoulder with the people who stood beside us.

We're proud to represent:

💙💛 The Ukrainian Community of Sunderland — resilient, hardworking and forever grateful.

❤️ The Salvation Army Monkwearmouth — whose everyday kindness changes lives, not only here in the UK but across the world, including Ukraine.

🤝 Our British friends — who welcomed us, believed in us and became family.

We run for everyone rebuilding their life.

We run for everyone who chooses kindness.

We run because hope grows stronger when it's shared.

And yes... you'll probably spot us with Ukrainian flags, huge smiles and perhaps a sneaky little pirozhok tucked away for emergency finish-line energy. 😄🥟

If our story has touched you, please consider supporting our fundraising.

Every donation, every share and every word of encouragement helps The Salvation Army continue its incredible work and reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness can change someone's life.

Last year, you helped us achieve something special.

This year, let's go even further.

Together💙💛