Posted: 16 May, 2023
What has this story got to do with football and LFC?
Our story starts back in 2018, when Liverpool Football Club reached the Champions League Final which was being played in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was Liverpool vs Real Madrid, and so many football fans from the UK booked hotels in advance … but, just before the finals, local hotels cancelled all the bookings and put their prices up.
In response, local people in Kyiv decided to open their doors to fans for free. Locals set up a Facebook group and asked Liverpool fans to register and state their accommodation requirements for the final. A local would then offer their support. One of those fans who benefitted from such kindness, Jonpaul (JP), is now the Programme Co-ordinator for Wheels for All Knowsley.
Ukraine and Russia at war
Four years later, the war between Russia and Ukraine began. JP had lost touch with Olena, the lady who hosted him and his family whilst they were in Kyiv. He took it upon himself to locate her and got back in touch because he wanted to find out how she was and offer his family’s support.
Eventually, through the refugee sponsorship scheme, JP was able to bring Olena to Liverpool and she now lives with JP. As her sponsor, he helped her to integrate with the community and, as part of that, he introduced her to Wheels for All.
Pedal Away … and Onwards
Olena then took it upon herself to encourage other Ukrainians to participate in our Pedal Away rides in Knowsley. As a result, they had the opportunity to meet local people, get out and about, and also connect with others in a similar situation.
Through the Wheels for All programme, JP was able to listen to the participants regarding their difficulties and then direct them towards further assistance from local authorities and support organisations in the area.
Alongside these other organisations, JP applied for funding to develop a project which would further support Ukrainian refugees. This created an opportunity to train and employ one of the original Ukrainian participants, Olya, who now works – on a regular basis – as a paid sessional employee with the Knowsley team.
What does the future hold?
JP has since established and secured funding for another project to help asylum seekers. He hopes that in the near future he will be able to take these projects to the next level and work with the families further, not just with a focus on getting them out on cycles, but also ensuring that they receive the other support that they need.
