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Hi, my name is Rina, I’m a 17-year-old Ukrainian girl who found sanctuary in Hexham, Northumberland.
Volleyball became a big part of my life back in Ukraine. My dad, who has to stay in Ukraine, brought me into the sport and provided incredible love and support with every step. For the big occasion – my 18th birthday, I want to do what I love the most with people who stand with me since the day I moved to the UK. I want to honour my brave home country, sportsmanship and the people who brought me to where I am today.
On 7 March 2026, I co-organised the Unity for Ukraine Volleyball Tournament in Newcastle upon Tyne.
It was a full day of volleyball, music, food and connection – a chance to play serious, competitive matches in a friendly atmosphere, and to stand together with Ukraine through sport.
Who we want to support?
We want this tournament to do more than celebrate sport. We want it to support those for whom sport has become part of recovery and healing: Invictus Games Team Ukraine to help them to participate in Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
To support the Invictus Games Team Ukraine you can:
- Contribute to this fundraiser
- Transfer money directly to the Invictus Game Team Ukraine with the reference: ‘Unity’ via the following bank details:
Receiver CO "STRATCOM UA"
IBAN UA173052990000026002046268636
SWIFT Code PBANUA2X
Name of the bank JSC CB PRIVATBANK
Bank address Ukraine, 01001, Kyiv, str. Hrushevskoho 1D
For those who wants to donate from Ukraine, please use the following link: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/6YR5fz3HAa with reference Unity
There are no small donations; every pound is an act of solidarity.
Thank you for standing with us, with our young players, and with Invictus Games Team Ukraine.
All details about the event could be found here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unityvolleyballuk/
Invictus Team Ukraine:
Organizer
Iryna Gryga
Organizer