The annual Spilka Ukrayinskoyi Molodi (CYM) National Rally in Tarasivka has once again proven to be the beating heart of the Ukrainian community in the United Kingdom. This year’s gathering was truly historic, bringing together a record-breaking crowd of more than 3,000 participants, making it one of the largest and most vibrant mobilizations of the Ukrainian diaspora in recent history.
For decades, Tarasivka — the dedicated Ukrainian cultural hub in Derbyshire — has served as a sanctuary for preserving Ukrainian identity, traditions, and youth leadership in the UK. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of continuity, where generations of British-Ukrainians meet to celebrate their shared heritage and strengthen community bonds.
It was a great honor for the Міжнародний центр «Український дім» у Великій Британії team to participate in this remarkable event and present our vital initiative: “Drop of Life – Blood Solidarity.”
Star-Studded Support and On-Air Solidarity
This year, the rally’s atmosphere was amplified by the presence of popular Ukrainian artists and cultural ambassadors Zalisko (Андрій Заліско) and Julik (Юлік). Their participation brought incredible energy to the event, uniting the crowd through music and showing powerful support for community-led initiatives.
The event was also widely highlighted by “Razom / Together” on ALL FM 96.9 — the only Ukrainian radio program in the United Kingdom. Broadcasted live, the team captured the spirit of Tarasivka and brought the message of the #BLOODSOLIDARITY campaign to thousands of listeners across the country.
Throughout the rally, our team held dozens of profound conversations with attendees, building new connections and discussing the critical role that regular blood donation plays in supporting the UK’s healthcare system. The overwhelming encouragement from youth leaders, families, and artists reaffirmed that blood donation is a cause that deeply resonates with our community, bridging our gratitude to the British people with practical, life-saving civic action.
“Every single blood donation has the power to save up to three lives,” noted the Ukrainian House UK team. “By introducing this initiative at Tarasivka alongside our creative and media partners, we are empowering our community to turn solidarity into action.”
A Shared Mission and Heartfelt Thanks
We extend our special and sincerest gratitude to Alex Kosmirak, Chairman of CYM in Great Britain, for the kind invitation and for his outstanding leadership in making this gathering possible. Our thanks also go to the entire Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) team for organizing such an inspiring event and providing us with a platform to raise critical awareness about blood donation among Ukrainians across the UK.
This vital outreach work and the ongoing campaign success would not be possible without the incredible support of The National Lottery Community Fund, whose partnership continues to help us turn these community-focused ideas into reality.
We also encourage both Ukrainians and British citizens who are travelling to Ukraine to donate blood whenever possible. The need for donated blood for Ukrainian military personnel and civilians remains critically high.
