Ukrainian fans created the Tribuna Heroes fund for systematic financial support to the families of football fans from all over Ukraine who died in the war. There are already 97 such families.
The fund collects information about the deceased from representatives of all fan movements of Ukraine, creates a database, collects family contacts, verifies data and sends financial aid.
There are government programs to financially support the families of the victims, but many fans fight in volunteer units and are often not officially registered. The mechanics of payments from the state are not always clear.
The foundation involves Ukrainian and foreign fan movements, Ukrainian football players and football clubs, sports and show business stars, sports journalists, businesses and all those who are interested in the initiative.
Here is what the football players of the national team of Ukraine think about this initiative.
Taras Stepanenko: "I am convinced that the football community will join the initiative to create the "Heroes' Tribune" fund with the aim of supporting the families of fans who died in the battles for the independence of Ukraine. The guys gave the most valuable thing so that we could live in our country. The fans, who were at odds with each other before, united for our victory."
George Bushchan: "Football people have known for many years the devotion of the most active fans to their clubs and Ukraine. We loved hearing your support during the matches! With the start of the war, the whole country learned about the patriotism and heroism of football fans. There were noticeably fewer fans in the stadiums, because the main goal is to expel the enemy from our land. I want to thank all the fans who came to the defense of Ukraine and supported the creation of the Tribuna Heroes fund. Together, we must support the families of people who gave their lives for Ukraine."
With the beginning of the war, representatives of fan movements from the first day in the hottest spots. And there are already many dead boys from all over Ukraine. The desperation and courage of the fallen fans are always noted by unit commanders. For their families, they were the main breadwinners. The dead left their parents, wives and children without their care, for whom they were the main heroes long before the war.
We would like to add that the "Heroes' Tribune" fund was created exclusively by football fans. But the Ukrainian Premier League and many famous journalists, athletes, cultural and public figures have already joined the fund's support. Among them are Serhiy Zhadan, Oleg Luzhny, Myron Markevich, Volodymyr Yezerskyi, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Denys Berinchyk, Oleg Fagot Mykhailiuta, Oleksandr Fozzi Sydorenko, Ihor Tsyganyk, Viktor Vatsko. A complete list of them can be found at website of the foundation.
All support for the families of fallen heroes depends exclusively on donations. Therefore, we encourage everyone who cares to join in helping families.
