UNITED WITH UKRAINE

Dundee United FC have thrown their support behind a member of staff’s amazing efforts to raise awareness and funds for the plight of Ukrainian refugees as they try to secure safe passage into Poland.

Armed with over £2,000 of United branded outerwear and blankets,
Ricardo Cerdan travelled over to the border refugee camp at Medyka, where he helped acclimatise refugees as they arrived in Poland.
 
Ricardo also made the journey into Lviv, Ukraine with other volunteers as they helped desperate refugees escape.

Ricardo now plans to return to Poland and Ukraine over the International break and has a vision of securing a bus for the next mission. With the support of ex-British Army personnel and medical staff, the plans include the attempt to travel further into the war-torn country to enable the rescue of women and children who otherwise face an uncertain and unpredictable future.

His actions have touched the heart of everyone at Tannadice and as he looks to raise funds for the rescue plan, he has set up a go fund me page where people can assist with the fundraising. The Club, as well as offering yet more clothing provisions, have donated £5,000 to the cause.
  
Save the children have noted that over 100,000 childrens lives are dependent on the international efforts. Ricardo said, "I have friends who’s spouses are Ukrainian and I was hearing first-hand how bad things were. I wanted to do my bit and I was willing to take the risk and the journey into Lviv took me six hours – it should take 90 minutes. I visited Shakhtar Donetsk stadium which is housing over 20,000 refugees. This is a major humanitarian issue and there are so many women and children who will be exposed to horrible futures unless we help”. 
 
“On the news, we all see it, poor young women and their kids, what’s the future for these children if their fathers die, or the war keeps going? There are gangs, mafia etc. who are already looking to exploit these children for revolting futures, so I am determined to go back, further into Ukraine”
 
If you would like to raise funds and help Ricardo’s Heroes rescue Ukrainian’s, please visit the following links: 

GoFundMe - 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/unitedwitukraine/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitedwith_ukraine_/