ClimbArmy Raising Funds to Support Climbers Fighting in Ukraine War
"We are not a big charity fund. We are a community of Ukrainian climbers willing to help other climbers who now defend Ukraine, keep them protected while maximizing the efficiency of their efforts."
A fundraiser has been launched by a group of climbers in Ukraine with the goal of supporting other climbers who are currently part of the war against the invading Russian army.
Mykhailo Poddubnov, a Ukrainian climbing instructor, started the project that will fund intelligence devices such as purchasing and bringing vehicles from the EU, protective gear, Â and medical supplies. The money will not be used to purchase weapons.
Ukrainian national team climber Jenya Kazbekova, who won bronze at the recent CWIF event, supports the project. “I know Mykhailo personally,” she said on Instagram. “He created a fundraiser to help our fellow climbers on the battlefield. None of your money will go to weapons. Please don’t be indifferent. We can’t stop this war by ourselves, but we can win together.”
ClimbArmy comes a few weeks after Canadian-Russian climber Konstantin Stoletov made an emotional plea through Gripped to raise funds to help stranded Ukrainians leave the country. Read that story here and learn how to donate to ClimbArmy here.
The ClimbArmy website reads:
From Climbers to Climbers
.
Our dear friends and colleagues! Today we are asking you for help!
.
Climbers all over the world are one family. Many Ukrainian climbers are now on battlefields fighting for the lives of their families and our country. They are fighting for the future of not only Ukraine, but of the whole Europe as Russia is now threatening Poland, Lithuania and other EU states.
.
Just a few days before the war we were climbing carelessly in Chamonix and Tirol, competing, and getting in shape for the spring season. On February 24 we all woke up to the terrible sounds of bombing. With regular sirens, curfew and all climbing gyms now used as refugee shelters, we – former climbers – became warriors and volunteers. We put our ice tools away to use weapons instead to defend our country, Ukraine.
.
Ukrainian army is strong, and we trust in them. But since the beginning of this horrific invasion by Russia the quantity of soldiers and territorial defence has at least doubled, sometimes even basic supplies are scarce, not to mention more sophisticated devices needed to effectively repel enemy attacks.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
