Help Ukrainian Youth Cyclists

I rolled out this initiative just after the war started. I am a mum and a cyclist, and I work in education. I am Polish and I have Ukrainian roots. I also have children and one of them is training cycling in London based club, "VC Londres" at Herne Hill Velodrome.

At the start of the war, the Polish Cycling Federation took in over 70 Ukrainian Youth cyclists and offered them a place to stay and train. As many of these teenagers were escaping Ukraine during the shelling, they left their homes only with one rucksack. In fact, four of them were literally running out of Kyiv velodrome while bombs were flying above their heads, later they were crossing the Polish border in their cycling skin suits.

Most of them have now signed with Polish Cycling clubs, sadly about 15 of them had to return to Ukraine, as there were no coaches available to train them in Poland. They are based in Western Ukraine, at one of the sports schools. Their resilience is amazing, they are still training and cycling despite the situation in Ukraine.

I am collaborating with the Friends of Herne Hill charity to support these cyclists. Thanks to my collaborators, family and friends and the wonderful British cycling community we are able to help.

This is not one-off initiative, the war is not over yet and they need our help.

Currently, I am trying to organise track wheels for them. Please help and donate if you can.

Thanks to all you amazing people and UK cycling comunity we have already supplied: 4 road bicycles (2 x Cervelo, 1 x Planet X and 1 x Liv), Fizik cycling shoes (thank you Marco from Fizik!) , Freinds of Herne Hill cycling kits, chains, various cycling clothes, helmets and Nike running shoes (Thanks Melanie!).

Thank you to every one of you for your generosity and support, this wouldn't be possible without your help! Thanks to British Airways for waving cargo charges when we were delivering the goods to the Polish Cycling Federation in Pruszkow for the cyclists.

The war is not over yet, drop the handlebars and live your life on a bike. 

Please help me support Ukrainian Youth Cyclists please donate if you can.

Follow the initiative on Instagram - UCS - Ukrainian Cyclist Support

Thanks so much,

Anna x