A virtual run set to raise funds for the people of Ukraine has been overwhelmed with support from runners across Scotland.

The ‘Sunflower 5K for Ukraine’ is being organised by Perth-based ultrarunner Daniel Kershaw.

Kershaw’s partner, artist Clare Ollif, is also donating her time to design and hand make the accompanying medals – set to be in the shape of a sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower.

Runners also have the option to make a donation and forgo the medal if they prefer.

After costs and postage, Kershaw hopes to raise around £2000 for the people of Ukraine.

Funds raised will be split between three humanitarian charities: the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal (to provide food, water, medicines and shelter), With Ukraine (a special fund which provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine’s civilian population) and the UNHCR (to help ensure that Ukrainians forced to flee their homes are sheltered and safe).

Within just two hours of the fundraiser going live on Tuesday night, 177 medals were sold; after three hours, the planned initial run of 200 was all gone, and a new, final limit of 300 individually handmade medals, allocated on a first come, first served basis, was set. When the medals run out, runners will still have the option to complete the 5K run and make a donation. 

When runABC Scotland asked Kershaw what has driven him and Ollif to organise the fundraiser, in their own time, he told us, “In all honesty, we just both feel helpless, and this is something we feel we can do.”

Image: Sunflower 5K for Ukraine (facebook)