50km for The Red Cross Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.

The daily hell being inflicted upon the Ukrainian people horrifies me, just as it horrifies us all.

We’ve all followed it online. We’ve watched in disbelief as a million people leave their homes, bid farewell to brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, not knowing what fresh hell tomorrow will bring. Woken early to catch news reports that will tell us if Volodymyr Zelensky survived the night. I bet we’ve all wondered what we would do – stay, leave, fight, volunteer – but baulked at even imagining. I’d say a fair few of us have cried too. Even writing this, there is a pounding feeling in my chest; it is part empathy, part horror, and part remorse at having taken freedom, liberty, democracy, decency, safety and security for granted.

I stand with Ukraine. But the Ukrainians could do with me doing a bit more than standing, so I’ll do some running; 50km to be precise, 5km every day for 10 days.

At the end and with your help, we’ll have a few quid to give to the Irish Red Cross. They will direct it to Red Cross teams on the ground now to enable them to continue their work of repairing vital infrastructure, supporting health facilities, and helping families with life-saving food and hygiene items.

Donations can be made here. Ní neart go cur le chéile. Míle buíochas in advance 🇺🇦.