Support Ukrainian Women Pilots to attend WWGC2022

This is what our fellow glider pilots in Ukraine are facing: “The unprovoked and unexpected Russian aggression in Ukraine has been disrupting plans, aspirations and lives of many Ukrainians, as well as destroying many towns, facilities, and infrastructure. The Gliding Club Buzova near Kyiv – the main training base for Ukrainian glider pilots has severely suffered from the military activity. Most of the premises, hangars, gliders and aircraft based there are completely or partially destroyed.”

 

In this tough situation, support is crucial for Ukrainian women pilots to be able to take part in the 11th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championship (WWGC2022), gliding’s equivalent of the Olympics, taking place 13-27 August 2022 in the UK.

 

The WWGC2022 organisers have reached out to potential competitors and two of them, Olena and Valentyna, aspire to take part in the World Championship. We have already arranged gliders for them with help from UK pilots and are 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 and Valentyna to represent Ukraine at the World Championship. 5% of your contribution will also support a selected NGO offering humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

 

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 these Ukrainian pilots the opportunity to represent their country at the World Championship will demonstrate the support of the international community at this hard time for Ukraine.

 

Costs that will be incurred for participating at WWGC2022 include entry and launch fees, accommodation and glider hire. No contribution is too small - every £8.50 will buy a pilot one night of accommodation and every £42.40 will launch them into the air!

 

Estimated costs for 1 pilot:

 

Since the platform charges transaction fees, we are raising more funds to make sure the expenses of Olena and Valentyna will be covered sufficiently and that we can contribute to humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Your donation will be transferred directly to the bank account of British Gliding Association (BGA), managed by Debbie Carr, the BGA Office Manager. If we exceed our target, the additional funds will be split evenly between humanitarian aid and the Ukraine Team at the next Women’s World Gliding Championship, by which time we hope that Ukraine is secure and at peace.

 

 

“The Women's World Championship for me is a unique chance and opportunity for the first time to take part in the high-level gliding competition. I am grateful for the support and attention given to our team by the organizers and the British pilots. Without any doubt, the Championship will provide an opportunity for all participants and myself to improve skills, gain experience, show results, as well as communicate with colleagues in sports, exchange experience and knowledge. At these competitions, I will represent my country Ukraine - a country that suffers unfairly from Russian aggression and which needs support from the World community.” - Olena Yakymchuk

 

 

 

“For me, participation in upcoming World Championship is an exciting opportunity to represent my country Ukraine again in Women's World-class competition. An opportunity to fly in the skies again in a glider over Husbands Bosworth, where I became the European champion among women back in 1991, to meet old and new friends at this difficult time for Ukraine, which is going through a war unleashed by Russia. I want to express my gratitude for this support that our country, glider pilots and I personally receive from many countries of the World and in particular from the UK.” - Valentyna Toporova, European Women’s champion in the 1991 Championship at The Gliding Centre and multiple winner of Championships in Ukraine.

 

 

(Anna Chrzaszcz, Valentyna Toporova, Marie Kyzivatova)

Awarding the winners of the 7th European Women's in Standard Class Championship, 1991 Husbands Bosworth Airfield

 

Thank you very much for your contributions!

 

WWGC2022 - The 11th FAI Women's World Gliding Championship

The Gliding Centre, Husbands Bosworth August 2022

wwgc2022.co.uk