The pupils and staff at Shiplake College will be running/walking a total of 1,350 miles, which is the equivalent distance from Shiplake to Kyiv in Ukraine, as part of a whole school cross country event on Monday 21 March. We are asking for support from parents, Old Vikings and other friends of the College to help raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) as they race to help all those affected by the crisis.

At least two million people have fled their homes to escape conflict in Ukraine. Leaving behind jobs, belongings and loved ones, they now face an uncertain future. Homes have been destroyed or are unsafe to live in. Critical infrastructure such as health facilities, water supplies and schools have also been damaged or destroyed.

At Ukraine’s borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, huge numbers of people are arriving with only what they can carry.

DEC charities are in Ukraine and neighbouring countries meeting the needs of all refugees and displaced people:

• £30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month
• £50 could provide blankets for four families
• £100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month