By Angela Brown

Chumak Way Cycling Tour team visits North Battleford

Jul 2, 2018 | 9:52 AM

Dmytro Trokin hopes by doing what he does best – biking with his team across North America – he will be able to help draw attention to the war in Ukraine, and the plight of the many orphans left behind.  

Trokin is one of six cyclists from Ukraine who, along with two van-support assistants, are part of the Chumak Way Cycling Tour team that stopped in North Battleford Saturday evening.

About 60 residents and supporters came out to the Ukrainian Slava Centre to greet the group who are travelling 10,000 kilometres across Canada and the United States, from May 22 to Aug. 29, covering about 150 km per day. Their aim is to promote peace and raise awareness about the war in eastern Ukraine. The team is also raising funds to support children who have lost their parents in the conflict. 

“We’re riding for peace all around the world,” said Trokin, 37, from Kherson in southern Ukraine. “We have war in Ukraine. That’s why we are here. Soldiers are fighting. We are cyclists, so we are cycling.”

The team gave a presentation about their journey to local residents during their visit here. Two of the cyclists in the tour are also Ukrainian war veterans themselves.

Meadow Lake arena and recreation facility

Innovation Federal Credit Union donates up to $1-million in community match

9m ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

1h ago

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

4h ago

Trokin said he hopes the team will be able to better inform people they meet during their travels about the impact of the war in Ukraine, and about how many people have been displaced due to the conflict. 

Trokin said he is touched by the gracious response the team has received on their tour and appreciated the reception at the Slava Centre, as well as Gold Eagle Casino’s offer of accommodations for the group for their overnight stay.

Saturday’s reception included a Ukrainian dance performance by Natalya Shevchuk, daughter of Jim Shevchuk, who organized the local event to host the team.

Jim was pleased to see so many people come to show their support for the project. He commended the team’s mandate of saying: “Let’s make peace … help those displaced people and collect a few dollars for the orphans.” 

He said the war in eastern Ukraine is a complicated issue but an important one the West needs to put more focus on.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW