Row4Ukraine

We can make a difference

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, numerous western countries have rallied behind Ukraine, extending their support through humanitarian, financial, and military aid. The United Kingdom has emerged as the second-largest contributor, having pledged a £4.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine thus far. 

Despite facing a cost-of-living crisis, the British public has overwhelmingly embraced the country’s involvement in aiding Ukraine, recognizing the danger of direct military intervention by NATO. While the financial assistance provided by Britain enjoys significant popular support, it is essential to shed light on the human cost borne by Ukrainian service personnel engaged in a conflict that falls beyond our direct involvement. 

Our Mission

To row unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canaries to the Caribbean as a joint team of 2 Ukrainian Wounded & Injured Soldiers (WIS) and 2 British WIS. 

Our Objectives

• To raise awareness of the human cost of the war in Ukraine borne solely by Ukrainian service personnel. 
• To celebrate the unity and comradeship between Ukrainian and British WIS. 
• To raise £150,000 for the INVICTUS Games Foundation, ringfenced for Ukrainian WIS to enable rehabilitation through sport and adventure. 

Lee Spencer

Lee is a former Royal Marine single leg amputee who holds 4 Guinness World Records for Ocean Rowing. 

In 2015 as a crew member of Row2Recovery’s all amputee crew of four, Lee rowed across the Atlantic from the Canaries to Antigua and into the Guinness world record books, as the first physically disabled crew of four to row any ocean. 

In January 2019, Lee set off from Portimão, Portugal to attempt rowing solo and unsupported from mainland Europe to mainland South America. 60 days, 16 hours and 6 minutes later, he rowed into Cayenne, French Guiana not only becoming the first physically disabled person to do so and completing the longest solo row of any disabled person, he beat the able bodied record by an astonishing 36 days: A further 3 Guinness World Records.

Dmytro Rezvoy

Dmytro is a Ukrainian ocean rowing boat builder born in Lviv and has over 19 years’ experience in building ocean rowing boats and has been a mainstay in the British Ocean rowing community since 2006. Dmytro, a proud Ukrainian has followed the war with obvious personal interest with many friends and family living there and involved in fighting.

In March 2022 shortly after the start of the war, Dmytro drove humanitarian aid including medical kits to Ukraine but the devastating human cost of the war was brought home to him when his childhood friend Ivan Gavrylko, was badly injured. 

Wanting to help those that are injured and draw attention to the ‘Human Cost’ of fighting the Russians, Dmytro will build the boat for Team Row4Ukraine.

Ivan Gavrylko 

Ivan was Born in Lviv, Ukraine and before the Russian invasion, Ivan worked as a Geologist and a cyber security analyst. On the outbreak of war Ivan volunteered for service in the Marine Corps where he fought on the front line. In 2022, Ivan was injured in combat three times, the third of which was extremely serious requiring medical treatment in Lyon, France. 

Ivan is a father to two sons, who because of the ongoing conflict, now live in Germany with their mother. A keen sailor, Ivan was a volunteer with Plast, the Ukrainian youth scout organization and was studying for his Ocean Yacht Skipper qualification before the conflict started. 

Rowing the Atlantic Ocean with Team Row4Ukraine will enable Ivan to reengage with his love of the sea sports and regain much needed self-confidence following injury. 

Andy Merry 

Andy Joined the Royal Marines in June 1984 and served for over 25 years retiring as WO 2nd Class, Sergeant Major. Andy served on Operational tours of Africa, Belize, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Northern Ireland and volunteered for Special Duties. 

In July 2013, Andy Joined the Tower of London as a Yeoman Warder where he was involved in the Laying in State of HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and took part in the Coronation of HM King Charles III in May 2023. 

Semen Lagun (Sam)

Sam was born in Zarichne, Rivne, Ukraine, graduated from Lviv’s Law Faculty at Ivan Franko University and then worked as a construction site manager. 

Sam’s joined the Territorial Defence near Lviv Airport in February 2022, straight after the Russian invasion. In August 2022, whilst operating near the town of Mar’inka in the Donetsk region with Special Operations Forces, Sam initiated an anti-personnel mine, losing a large part of his foot. Whilst recovering in March 2023, Sam learnt of the death of two tow close friends, Andrii, and Vasyl. 

He carries their memories with him every day and they have inspired him to Row across the Atlantic with Team Row4Ukraine.

Derman Ihor Olehovych (Igor)

Igor joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2009 and then deployed to the Luhanska region and then the Donetska region, where he sustained a concussion in an intense artillery battle. In January 2017, Igor was injured by an anti-infantry mine that resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. After rehabilitation, he mentored young officers in training and in 2018, Igor made the difficult decision to leave the army.

Igor re-enlisted as the threat from Russia increased and hasfought alongside able-bodied servicemen in the Khersonska region, despite having only one leg. 

Igor and his elder brother Yaroslav, an officer in the Ukrainian army, dreamed of buying a yacht and sailing the Ocean together when the war is over. Yaroslav has been missing in action since April 2023. He was fighting the Russians in Bahmut.

Thank you for considering to support us. We can offer your company the following: 

Brand exposure:

• Generate brand exposure in our media coverage 
• Your brand’s logo on the boat 
• Your brand on the Row4Ukraine team kit 

Help build company cohesion – we will take you and your company with us across the ocean with:

• Meet the crew 
• Pre and post row motivational speeches to all you employees 
• Competition for you to have your employees signatures all over the boat 
• Bring the boat to your company for a show and tell 
• Linking in with you companies disability equal opportunities initiatives. 
• Calls to employees from the middle of the Ocean