Russia’s attack on Ukraine touched a Finnish weightlifting star. As a result, Anni Vuohijoki went to pick up Ukrainian refugees by bus. On Monday, he was in Warsaw receiving a ride in need.
Weightlifter Anni Vuohijoki has implemented its idea to help the victims of the Russian invasion. The idea of applying for refugees by bus from Poland to Finland is now concretely true. More than 50 lucky Ukrainians are on their way north.
A couple of goats on the goat in the project are his friends, a sports and finnish influencer Laura Peippo.The project has no external funder. The most expensive item is the bus fare from Estonia. Food needs to be arranged as well.
On Sunday, permits were released from the Ukrainian embassy for hospital supplies. Vuohijoki, who won bronze at the European Weightlifting Championships in 2018, says he has received diplomatic help From Timo Soini.
– We are now in Warsaw and recently talked to the former Polish ambassador. We started picking up people by bus from Warsaw Railway Station. The morning went when we unloaded a consignment of hospital goods from the bus, which left it directly for Ukraine, Vuohijoki said on Monday.
According to the Goat River, there are still a lot of Finnish volunteers helping people in need all over Poland and also in Ukraine.
– I knew that helping me and Laura might get more media attention on an important issue. We ourselves are from our world of thought that when you give another good, you get it for yourself, Vuohijoki justifies your desire to help.
On Monday, Vuohijoki participated in the Radio Finland Sports Crazy program, which dealt with athletes’ statements about the ongoing war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked strong statements against the war, but other voices have also been heard.
Sports crazy on the subject Jussi Paasin with a Russian sports reporter Jelena Leppänen and author Minna Lindgren. You can listen to the program below.
“The men went in line towards the war”
There has been a lot of people and goods on the Ukrainian border. It has touched big.
– The men went in line towards the war, and the women came out. Drivers have not slept terribly when there has been enough to apply. According to drivers, civil bombing has now begun there (in Ukraine).
– In fact, when you have never experienced a war like this at the age of 33, it is very brutal to see people tired and sad.
According to the Goat River, they already know the passports of those who come to the bus, the necessary personal information and the destinations of the people.
– Those people who do not have a place to go in Finland, we will arrange places for them along the way. We head to Tallinn and hopefully we will be in Finland by Tuesday evening.
Goat River and Peippo have emphasized on social media that it is not worth going to the Ukrainian border to help if the matter has not been agreed with the local authorities.
Finnish helpers have traveled for a couple of days, but even then they have had time to accumulate sleep debt.
– They (refugees) have already fled the war for a week. I myself have only been behind it for a couple of days and last night I went to sleep for a couple of hours. Everything is relative. But when I get home, I sleep at least a day, the Goat River sighs in the middle of the trip.