Running Copenhagen Marathon to help rebuild Kharkiv, Ukraine

TLDR

I am running the Copenhagen Marathon in May 2025 to fundraise for KHARPP - a British charity that is rebuilding homes and supporting local communities in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine that have been damaged by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Why does it matter?

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kharkiv Oblast (region) has been one of the worst hit regions in Ukraine. The region borders Russia to the east and is also home to the second largest city (Kharkiv) in Ukraine. Much of the region was under Russian occupation until September 2022 - but it continues to be one of the regions in Ukraine most badly affected by the war waged by Russia. Every city, town, and village in the Kharkiv region has buildings that have been destroyed or damaged. Life remains far from normal for Kharkivites (and Ukrainians at large) today - with continued loss of life, internal displacement, military attacks, and devastated infrastructure.

Take Kam’ianka - a small village in the southeast of the Kharkiv region. The village was home to 1,200 people before the full-scale invasion. Just eighty residents remain in the village currently, with most still living without electricity and gas in badly damaged houses.

How do KHARPP help?

KHARPP is a British charity which began its work on the Polish-Ukrainian border in March 2022, supporting refugees as they fled the war. Since its inception, KHARPP has also been working to support communities by rebuilding homes, hospitals, schools, and community centres in formerly occupied and frontline villages. KHARPP crucially provides generators, portable power stations, and Starlink satellite internet systems to villages which remain off-grid. As of February 2024, they have rebuilt 750 homes and 4 public buildings across 16 towns and villages in Kharkiv.

Read more about KHARPP and the communities they serve in this Guardian piece written by co-founder Ada Wordsworth.

How can you help?

I am raising awareness about the continued plight of the Ukrainian people and fundraising for a charity which ensures that ordinary people can continue living in dignity, in safe and solid homes, so more people can return to their homes. KHARPP is a vital charity that works on the groud with local communities to deliver what they need. Your kind donation will go directly to the rebuilding of homes in Kharkiv.

Click here to read more about the affects that the war has had on Kharkiv.

Read The Kyiv Post for the latest about Ukraine.

Who am I?

My name is Victoria, I'm a 23-year old Danish national who has been living London for over 5 years. By day, I work in politics for the Jewish community, and at night I'm likely running, reading, or dabbling in a new hobby. A hobby that I picked up in the of summer 2024 (and stuck with!) is learning Ukrainian. My wish is to speak it proficiently one day in a free Ukraine.