Support Ukrainian Woman Pilot to attend WWGC2023

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Due to situation in Ukraine lasting since more than one year ago, support is crucial for Ukrainian women pilots to be able to take part in the 12th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championship (WWGC2023) (gliding’s equivalent of the Olympics) taking place 1-14 July 2023 in Spain.

The WWGC2023 organizers have reached out to potential competitors and one of them, Olena Yakymchuk, aspire to take part in the World Championship. We have already arranged a glider for her with help from “Airpull Aviation, S.L.” company and is in the process of finding camping equipment for their stay, so now we are looking for help to cover other costs. Your contributions will be a huge support for Olena to represent Ukraine at the World Championship.

The competition will not only showcase the world’s top sportswomen, but also serve to inspire, grow, and build a community of women pilots. Giving this Ukrainian pilot the opportunity to represent her country at the World Championship, it will demonstrate the support of the international community at this hard time for Ukraine.

Costs that will be incurred for participating at WWGC2023 include entry and launch fees, accommodation and glider hire. No contribution is too small - every 15 € will buy one night of accommodation and every 75 € will launch Olena into the air!

Estimated costs for 1 pilot:

• Entry fee: 945 €

• Aerotow: 1.350 € (75 € per flight, 13 competition days + 5 training)

• Glider rental: 1.350 € (75 € per day, 13 competition days + 5 training)

• Accommodation & electricity at camping: 375 € (20 days)

We also want to thank WWGC2022 organizers and specially Liz Sparrow, who have helped with the 448 £ left from last year´s fundraising.

Since the platform charges transaction fees, we are raising more funds to make sure the expenses of Olena will be covered sufficiently. Your donation will be transferred directly to the bank account of the Championship management company “Airpull Aviation”. If we exceed our target, the additional funds will be saved for the next Women’s World Gliding Championship.

"Hi, I'm Liz Sparrow, Competition Director for WWGC2022. I'm also a long-time member of the British Gliding Team and have experienced how Gliding has a very strong international community, so when Russia invaded Ukraine I thought it was an opportunity to demonstrate to a wider public how glider pilots will stand together to support each other. We were delighted that as a result two Ukraine pilots were able to fly at WWGC2022 - Valentyna and Olena's bravery and determination to compete was matched by pilots and friends worldwide who helped fundraise, donated, lent them flying and camping equipment and made them very welcome. WWGC2022 may be over, but the friendships made there continue and I'm looking forward to competing at WWGC2023 with Olena."