Four veterans from Ukraine and four active-duty military servicemen from the Netherlands set off on a long walk from The Hague to the Ukrainian border with the aim of raising EUR 100,000 for medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support for Ukrainian veterans and their families.
As an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague reports, the 2,000-kilometer walk kicked off outside the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
“The guys are on it. We have already raised EUR 78,000 and we hope that during the walk, we will reach the goal of EUR 100,000. If we raise more, which we really hope for, we will buy more tourniquets because when we bought a thousand, which we are now sending, we received a lot of requests from the military. A truckload of medical equipment also set off along with the team. Their mission saves lives. Sometimes it requires a tourniquet, sometimes it’s mental support. It is also about solidarity between the military and civilians – Dutch and Ukrainians,” Ksenia Nehrutsa-Hodska, founder of the Netherlands for Ukraine charity foundation, told an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague in an exclusive comment.
She noted that the Dutch military has been joined by four Ukrainian veterans who are currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in the Netherlands.
“In addition to medical and financial assistance, the importance of the mission is also to raise awareness of the problem of PTSD in the military, and these 12-kg backpacks that these guys are carrying symbolize the burden that the soldiers carry when returning from the front,” says Nehrutsa-Hodska.
The initiative was conceived by Robin Imthorn, a Marine veteran and holder of the Legion of Honor order, who has developed a deep understanding of post-traumatic growth. He has already worked with Ukrainian medics on issues of recovery from trauma. His personal experience of struggling with PTSD became the driving force behind the mission. “What was once my weakness became my path. What broke me led me to where I belong,” Imthorn noted.
Twice a day, videos and text messages will be published on Imthorn’s social media, as well as on the website of Netherlands for Ukraine, to prove that the men indeed walk 120 km per day.
“This is a march of more than 2,000 km. This is a bold statement of international solidarity. This is a march of respect. A march of healing. A march of hope. Led by Dutch veterans, shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian defenders, the mission unites two nations – and countless hearts – in a common desire for peace and stability,” said the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Andriy Kostin, who spoke during the launch of the mission in The Hague.
“With every step you give strength to the wounded Ukrainian soldiers who defended not only Ukraine, but also all of Europe. Your dedication brings real help, healing, and hope. The mission serves as a powerful act of solidarity that will not be forgotten. We wish you endurance, safety, and understanding that your step is life-changing,” Kostin emphasized.
In turn, the Commander of the Dutch Marine Corps, Ivo Moorman, emphasized that “unity is extremely important. And it’s not just about the race itself or the support, but also about the rear – the families, wives, children who are here and who give these guys the opportunity to do what they are going to do over the next few days. 2,000 km is a huge distance. This is, of course, a test of physical strength, but not only that. I believe it is a test of strength of spirit.”
It is worth noting that the spouse of one of the Ukrainian veterans, who is also participating in the mission, baked four “patriotic cakes” as a gift to four wives of Dutch participants, as a sign of solidarity of the invisible front, the wives and families who support Ukraine’s defenders, and who provide the main support in overcoming PTSD.
The team is expected to reach their destination in mid-June.
As Ukrinform reported, the mission is implemented in cooperation with the Netherlands for Ukraine Foundation (NL4UA) – a non-profit with ANBI status, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Veterans Institute (NLVi). The project is implemented with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Photos by author and from NL4U
Source: Veterans set off from The Hague to Ukrainian border to raise money for Ukraine’s Army
