Over UAH 1.2 Million Raised, 20 Cities, and 1,350 Participants: How the “Run for Children of Heroes” 2025 Charity Race Unfolded
On June 1st, International Children’s Day, the Children of Heroes Charity Fund, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Running Club and local partners, organized the large-scale charity race, “Run for Children of Heroes.” This event, held across 20 cities in Ukraine and around the world, aimed to raise funds for children who have lost one or both parents due to the war. Crucially, 100% of the registration fees went directly to fund the Fund’s aid programs.
Participants had the freedom to choose any distance. At the start, each runner received a personal bib number, and at the finish line, a unique medal — a symbol of gratitude for their contribution. In total, over 1,350 participants took part in the race, collectively raising more than UAH 1,243,521!
Within Ukraine, 940 participants joined the race, raising UAH 538,000. This once again highlighted the incredible unity of Ukrainians in their desire to support those most in need. The largest races took place in Kyiv and Lviv. A special moment in Kyiv was the participation of Natalia Solonik, host of the “Closer to the Stars” program on TET TV channel and mentor for the “Make a Dream Come True” project by 1+1 media. She led a warm-up for the runners, filling them with positive energy and boosting their morale.
The “Run for Children of Heroes” initiative also extended far beyond Ukraine, bringing together the Ukrainian diaspora and empathetic individuals from various corners of the globe. The race was held in 13 cities abroad, including Amsterdam, Hamburg, Warsaw, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Krakow, Porto, Munich, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Paris, Vienna, and Funchal. In these cities, 438 people participated, collectively raising a significant sum of EUR 14,899! Each of these races was not just a sporting event, but also a powerful demonstration of solidarity and support for Ukraine.
Those who weren’t planning to run could still support the race online by making a donation to one of three virtual “bear squads”: Plushy, Gummy, or Chocolate. Every UAH 50 contributed a symbolic kilometer to the squad’s total distance. Among the virtual squads, the Gummy Bear squad emerged victorious, with its runners and supporters raising over $7,000.
The “Run for Children of Heroes” charity race powerfully demonstrated that through united efforts, incredible results can be achieved in the vital cause of helping children who have lost their closest family members due to the war.
