Ukrainian who stopped 600 mile walk on Queen’s death, continues on King’s Coronation
A Swindon Ukrainian refugee, Sofiia Volovyk, who started a 600 mile fundraising walk from Swindon in Wiltshire to Ben Nevis in Scotland in September last year, got 420 miles of the way there and made it as far as Lockerbie in Scotland. Sofiia stopped because of a worsening injury and also out of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who died as she entered Scotland. Now Sofiia, whose injury has fully healed will complete the last 180 miles and will resume her walk at the beginning of the King's Coronation.
Sofiia's original challenge was to walk all the way to Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK, from her host town in Swindon. The original walk raised over £3,000, with 50% going to a Ukrainian Aid charity Rescue Now and 50% to the Ukrainian support committee that she chairs, Swindon Welcomes Ukraine. Sofiia will face the tough terrain of the West Highland Way and the Scottish Highlands on route to Ben Nevis and will be camping out each night on the last 11 days of the trip.
As Sofiia arrived in Scotland on 8th September 2022, after 16 days of the original walk, she had an ingrowing toenail that had blackened her left big toe and was painful to walk on. Sofiia stopped at an NHS surgery in Lockerbie, had it packed with Silver Nitrate and was recommended by the GP to "be very very careful" if she wanted to continue.
“I was going to carry on regardless. When I set myself a challenge I will always reach it, and I was representing the Ukrainian community now in the United Kingdom, so I did not want to stop, despite the pain. The morning after I had medical assistance on my toe, we had stopped in a hotel in Lockerbie which had the TV on, and we were immediately saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I took this as a sign to pause my challenge and continue at a later date. It was lucky, because my toe actually needed surgery, but it’s all healed now and I’m raring to go”.
Sofiia’s video pausing her walk
ofiia originally fled to the UK in April 2022 from Ukraine after she feared for the safety of her family. She travelled through 6 countries with her Mum and sister, and eventually found a host in Swindon. Since then Sofiia has supported the 370 Ukrainians now living in Swindon, secured a job working to coach Ukrainian Entrepreneurs through the Outset programme, and has even created a national summit of other Ukrainian group leaders to share best practice.
The MP for South Swindon, Robert Buckland, has supported her along the way, and even gave her a tour of the Houses of Parliament before her first adventure. "Sofiia's journey is symbolic of the power of the human spirit and compassion, and her efforts to help those in need are a testament to her kind-hearted nature. I wish her the best of luck on the last part of her journey”.
To support Sofiia's cause, please visit her fundraising page.
Sofiia’s original walk was covered widely on UK National media.
[To arrange interviews please contact Kris Talikowski on team@ukraineswindon.com or call 07736 839 042]