Jamie Hall
Jamie walks the 1,227 mile land border between Russia and Ukraine (remotely)
Fundraising for Disasters Emergency Committee
Story
Challenge dates - Wednesday 24th January to Thursday 23rd May.
I am taking up a fitness challenge. But this isn't any ordinary one - I'm planning on walking 1227 miles. Why this length? This is the length of the land border between Russia and Ukraine. I aim to raise awareness and funds for Ukrainian refugees fleeing war and destitution. I am lucky to be doing this from the relative safety of the UK. I aim to cover this distance in 120 days so on average I will be walking 10 miles a day which is just over 20,000 steps.
For context, I am an office dweller with a full time job and not terribly fit so 20,000 steps a day will be a decent challenge for me. I'm not pretending this is some incredible feat of human endurance, I'm just trying to raise awareness and maybe a little bit of cash for a worthy cause.
6.3 million refugees from Ukraine have been reported globally, as of January 2024. As the news cycle moves on, Ukranians need our help more than ever. The Disasters Emergency Committe (DEC) brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. Well known organisations such as Oxfam, Save the Children, Action Aid and Action Against Hunger are amongst the charities involved.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine said:
"Every Ukrainian has lost someone in the past year. A father, a son, a brother, a mother, a daughter, a sister. A loved one. A close friend, colleague, neighbor, acquaintance...
“Almost everyone has at least one contact in their phone who will never pick up the phone again. Will never answer a text message “How are you?”.
Intense conflict in Ukraine is threatening the lives and livelihoods of civilians across the country, causing millions to flee. Homes have been destroyed. Essential services have been hit. Families have been separated. People have been injured. Lives have been lost.
DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries. They are working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care.
Your donation could make a huge difference:
£30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month
£50 could provide blankets for 4 families to keep them warm
£100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month.
Ill be updating this page regularly but also my Instagram with some more 'dynamic' videos: www.instagram.com/thehallwayofhistory.
I look forward to the challenge and your support (financial or moral) is invaluable.
All the best,
Jamie