My Brother in Law Stas.

***** UPDATED *****

Since my brother in law Stanislav Reguretsky (Stas) was conscripted, I have been fundraising for him. Originally my aim was to raise money to provide Stas with a more enhanced helmet and body armour. Sadly by the time we gave Stas the first instalment to purchase what he needed, he was sent on his final mission. Now, my fundraising has changed.

As a reminder, just two months ago, on the way to work, Stas was approached and conscripted to join the defence of his country. After a short medical he began his six week training. In August, he was sent to fight on the front line in Donetsk. He was there for just three weeks, before he was involved in a truly frightening and hellish incident which rendered him in shrapnel, one piece of which pierced his eye, leaving him with just one eye and requiring plastic reconstructive surgery.

Even if it's a small donation, anything you do will be so gratefully appreciated and helpful. We are also sending donations to the volunteers who did an amazing job helping to save my brother’s life and working around the clock helping others.

Thank you!

***** ORIGINAL MESSAGE *****

Yes, the war in Ukraine is still happening.

See beyond the pictures in the newspapers and on our screens, see who they are. What’s happening in Ukraine is not a movie, a distant thing happening far away. It’s us, our children, our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters - it’s you and it’s me. I’m fundraising because the people being affected are real.

Ordinary people now fight for their homes, their lives, their children - defending their land from oppression. The question is ‘why’. The war needs to end, peace must prevail!

My family especially feels the pain… the numbness of uncertainty and the cold possibility of endless discontent.

My Ukrainian family, dad Vasyl, mum Olga, auntie Lyuba - they are not Nazis, nor are they soldiers. Yet the situation in Ukraine sees that ordinary people are forced to defend themselves and their homes.

Three weeks ago, my brother-in-law Stas received his conscription papers to join the war effort and defend his country. Stas will just have 6 weeks of training before his life as a soldier begins. We pray and hope that Stas remains safe and does not see the front line.

I am going to attempt to virtually cycle 1443 miles, which is the distance from my home in West London to Maidan Square in the center of Kyiv.

My aim is to continue to raise awareness of the war and buy additional protective equipment for all those who need it, but especially for my brother-in-law Stas. The equipment that many of the would-be soldiers are given is somewhat of a lottery, and body armour especially can vary to be either a few weeks old, to several decades old.

I’ve started training daily, pushing myself to raise these funds for all of Ukraine, for Stas, for his courage, his endeavour and his safety. This is for Stas’ children, my nieces and for everyone else in this predicament. By raising these funds, we can give all those defending Ukraine the best possible chance. Digging deeper, Ukraine’s actions are for Europe and the world. This is for common sense and peace, and Ukraine stands defending liberty and oppression.

Up until a few days ago, I haven’t ridden a bike properly since my teenage years. In fact, the longest I’ve ever ridden was 10 miles. Now I train to do something crazy, something that will hurt, but help me reflect. I’ve started documenting my distances and plan to cycle for the whole of August until I virtually reach Maidan Square. I will give weekly updates and share pictures of my achievements.

In my heart and mind will be Stas, my family and everyone else in Ukraine.

Stop the war, stop the suffering. Support my fundraising.

Thank you

Efty