Leeds Ukrainian Community Association set to host charity hike and Eurovision night to raise money for Ukraine

The Leeds Ukrainian Community Association is hosting a 12km hike to promote community spirit and raise money to support Ukraine.

The Unity Hike, which has been organised in collaboration with members of the British military, Lithuanian Civil Action, and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union in the UK, will begin at Totley Rifle Range in Sheffield at 8:30am on May 16.

Money raised from the hike will be used to fund humanitarian aid for Ukraine including pickup trucks, food, and clothes.

Bernadeta Bagaslauskaite, Head of Charity at LUCA said: “The war continues and it’s been four years. Ukraine is exhausted and there isn’t much help they can get in.

“These pick up trucks that we fundraise for are used as medivacs which means each of the trucks we deliver saves approximately 50 lives.

“We don’t go with empty cars - we fill them up with food, clothing depending on the season, with vitamins, and anything they need.”

Bernadeta sees the hike as an important opportunity to unite the Ukrainian, British, and Lithuanian community to come together and to show Ukrainians that they are not alone.

“It’s not just about hiking, it’s about learning about each other’s culture and integrating.

“We want people to have more knowledge and see how similar we are. That cultural exchange is hugely important for Ukrainians because they will feel when the war is over that they are already integrated.

“We do this work to show that these people are the same as us, they are neighbours and we should help them now.”

As well as this, the hike aims to be a poignant reminder of the freedom that many Ukrainians do not currently have.

“You’re not only just hiking for the sake of hiking but every step you take on that hill you are showing that you know your values, your morals - you are standing up for Ukrainians who currently can’t hike.

“Ukrainians can’t go on peaceful hikes, you’re doing this now so they could do it again when Ukraine is free again.”

Following the hike, participants are invited to return to the Leeds Ukrainian Community Association for their annual Eurovision party.

The party will see the Eurovision grand finale broadcast on a big screen, as visitors can enjoy music from around the continent, and place guesses on who will win the coveted Eurovision trophy.

As well as this, the Eurovision party will be a chance to indulge in traditional Ukrainian food including varenyky, which are boiled dumplings filled with fillings such as potatoes and cheese.

Ultimately, Bernadeta hopes the Unity Hike will be a chance to show Ukrainians that they are not forgotten, something that will make a “huge difference” to the Ukrainian community.

Four years on from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she wants the event to be a chance to remember the suffering Ukrainians have experienced and a clear demonstration of support.

Bernadeta said: “You can’t get used to the war. At first, everybody was shocked that it’s happening and thought it’d be over really quickly, however, we are now four years in; four years of loss, four years of funerals, four years of displacement, four years of not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring.

“The best thing that anyone, Ukrainian or not, can do, is to remind Ukrainians and volunteers that they are not alone.”

LUCA kindly ask that anyone participating in the hike, brings a £5 donation to support their humanitarian mission for Ukraine.

To find out more about the event and get involved, visit LUCA’s Facebook page to learn more.