Ukraine War: CrossFit community raises money for charity amid Russian invasion, as Kyiv gym is offered as missile defence shelters
- Hong Kong CrossFitter Nicholas Worley starts global challenge to do a burpee per dollar raised for Medecins Sans Frontieres
- Ukraine’s largest CrossFit gym is being used for humanitarian care and offered as a missile defence centre
The CrossFit community is raising money for charities working in the war in Ukraine. Around the world, CrossFitters will be doing one burpee per US dollar raised for Medecins Sans Frontieres.
Tatiana Grashchenko, owner of CrossFit Banda, the biggest CrossFit gym in Ukraine, has appealed for as many donations as possible.
“Right now unfortunately my country is facing a terrible time,” Grashchenko said. “Ukraine is under Russian military attacks. So during this war some of my clubs are being used as accommodation for humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian army and civilians. And I also offered some of my boxes to become missile defence shelters.”
The “Burpees for Ukraine” challenge is taking place on April 16. The CrossFitters are in teams of two and the winners of the challenge are the pair that collectively finish the most burpees.
“Most people in cities and villages have been living underground in garages and basements for the last two weeks and they are running out of food, water, clothes and medicine,” Grashchenko said.
