BOLTON’S UKRAINIAN community will be running a virtual balloon race to raise much needed funds for the war-torn country.

Unrelenting graphic accounts of helpless civilians trapped in Mariupol and other war-torn Ukrainian towns and cities have galvanised the urgency to supply humanitarian aid to those in need.

And to ensure the success, members of the Bolton branch, led by chair, Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, will be working tirelessly with the national AUGB office in London; the Ukrainian Red Cross; WHO; and Caritas Ukraine; to make this humanitarian project happen.

Mr Tymchyshyn said: “For us, it’s very important because of the situation, and everything that has happened to families all over.

“This is a chance for a new initiative to help out with what is still going on, because there are still casualties, and some people are severely traumatised.”

The Bolton News: Residents comforting each other during the destruction of their village. Credit: PAResidents comforting each other during the destruction of their village. Credit: PA

Bolton’s community have already raised almost £5,000 from singing outside the Town Hall, and nearly £35,000 in total from other donations.

The Bolton branch of The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), will be promoting the 100% eco-friendly, non-gambling, virtual balloon race, which will launch from Mariupol, one of the most devastated cities.

For this fundraising event, instead of using dangerous latex balloons that kill wildlife, RaceforUkraine.org will use the highly regarded rentaballoonrace.com platform.

The platform provides a 100% eco-friendly seven-day computer simulation race where everything is real except the balloon.

The software uses current live weather data to determine the progress of each balloon and every entry can be tracked on Google Maps and satellites once launched. Represented by mathematical and physics algorithms each balloon can be decorated with colours, patterns and text, plus flight parameters such as helium volume, rubber thickness and shape can be altered to aid winning a prize.

The Bolton News: Credit Henry Lisowski. People stand in solidarity for the people of Ukraine in Victoria SquareCredit Henry Lisowski. People stand in solidarity for the people of Ukraine in Victoria Square

This virtual race fundraiser will augment existing programs such as the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal on behalf of AUGB affinity churches, and community organisations. Almost £2m has already been sent to their charity partners in Ukraine to provide compassionate aid to those suffering from the war.

AUGB has also worked with the UK government to help develop the sponsorship scheme and to shape information and advice for Ukrainians coming to the UK

Any donations can be made at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Bolton, or to the following bank: AUGB Bolton branch, sort code – 01-01-42, account number – 26160048.

For more information, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Mr Tymchyshyn via email: bolton@augb.co.uk, telephone 07914 02151, or online www.augb.co.uk.