Children of Heroes Charity Fund participates in two international events in London
At two international events in London, representatives of the Children of Heroes Fund spoke with British experts, policymakers, and business leaders about long-term support for Ukrainian children who lost one or both parents in the war.
Children who have lost one or both parents to war need support that goes far beyond one-time assistance. This was the central message shared by representatives of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund during discussions with British experts, policymakers, and business leaders at two international events in London.
Supporting children who have lost their parents: international dialogue at the House of Lords
The House of Lords in the UK hosted an international event titled Children, War and Loss, attended by Valeriia Abdal, Co-Founder and Ambassador of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund. The event brought together Ukrainian and British experts to discuss the needs of children who have lost their parents to war and explore ways to build an effective support system for them.
During the event, Valeriia spoke about the needs of children who have lost their parents as a result of the war, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive, long-term support throughout every stage of their development.
“It is essential that these children receive not only the assistance they need here and now, but also opportunities to grow, develop, and build successful futures. When Ukrainian and British organizations join forces, we create a strong international support network where every child knows they are not alone,” said Valeriia Abdal.
During the event, she also spoke about the educational program that the Children of Heroes Charity Fund runs in the United Kingdom.
“I spoke at length about the educational trips we organize for Ukrainian children to the UK and how much these experiences mean to them. It is incredibly important for these children to spend time not only in a safe environment, but also in a multicultural one, to hear English spoken in the classroom, and to have the opportunity to explore and discover the world around them.”
The event also provided an opportunity for the Fund’s representatives to exchange experiences and best practices with other organizations, including the UK-based charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the initiative Let’s Shake Hands. Both support children in the UK through educational opportunities and assistance with adjustment and integration.
One of the most meaningful moments of the event was a meeting with families supported by the Children of Heroes Charity Fund who are currently living in the UK. An exhibition of artwork created by children under the Fund’s care was also presented at the House of Lords. Through their drawings, the children were able to share their unique perspectives on the world, as well as their feelings and personal experiences.
The event was initiated by Viktoriya Kiose and UABeyond, with the support of Lord Risby and Kent with Ukraine.
Business partnerships as an investment in children’s futures: participation in the Stronger Together Forum
Another important event was the Stronger Together Forum, held under the patronage of the Embassy of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The forum was organized by a coalition of leading Ukrainian organizations in the UK: Support Ukraine, British Ukrainian Aid, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in London, the Association of Ukrainian Women in Great Britain, and Ukraine Appeal.
The Children of Heroes Charity Fund was represented by Olena Yushkova, Head of Institutional Partnerships, who participated in the panel discussion Engaging with the UK Business Community alongside representatives of the Fund’s partner, Citibank.
During her presentation, Olena highlighted the Fund’s partnership with Citi as an example of how collaboration between a charitable organization and a major business can deliver tangible, measurable outcomes for children.
In 2025, Citi contributed $150,000 to the Fund’s socialization program, particularly to support the organization of recovery camps. Thanks to this contribution, since the beginning of 2026, the Fund has organized three sessions of the Svitliachok camp for 240 children and adults, One Camp for 100 children, and the Strength Within You camp for another 60 children.
In total, these programs have reached 400 Fund beneficiaries, providing them with opportunities to recover emotionally, connect with peers, make new friends, and participate in developmental activities in a safe and supportive environment.
The discussion also focused on engaging British businesses in supporting Ukrainian charitable initiatives. Participants explored how smaller Ukrainian-British organizations operating in the UK can establish relationships with major companies, demonstrate the impact of their work, and build sustainable, long-term partnerships.
Olena Yushkova also emphasized the importance of investing in Ukraine’s human capital, particularly through education, psychological recovery, and development opportunities for children affected by the war.
Participation in these two events in London marked another step towards expanding the international cooperation of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund. Sharing expertise with British organizations, strengthening corporate partnerships, and creating new opportunities for children are all essential elements of the comprehensive, long-term support the Fund provides to the children and families in its care.
