Author:
Yuliia Didenko
Rick Green from Boston, Lincolnshire (UK), has dedicated his entire life to children, working as a teacher. After retiring, he continued his support mission—in 2025, he skydived for the third time to raise funds for the Voices of Children Foundation. Twenty volunteers joined his team, Boston Skyjive, and collectively raised nearly £20,000 to support childhood in Ukraine.
From Six to Twenty: How the Team Grew
What started as a personal initiative of one compassionate man turned into an actual movement of solidarity. In less than three years, Rick inspired dozens of people to join in supporting our Foundation. His story is an example of how personal responsibility can become a catalyst for change.
When Rick first organized a charity skydive in 2023, only six of his friends joined him. This year, the team grew to twenty participants. They came with different motivations but one shared goal.
When Rick first organized a charity skydive in 2023, only six of his friends joined him. This year, the team grew to twenty participants. They came with different motivations but one shared goal.
When I saw the suffering of children in Ukraine, it reminded me so much of so many I’ve taught in the past. I felt I had to do something. We keep going because the war keeps going,
In 2024, Vadym Broadhead, whose mother is from Kyiv, and Agnes Aga, whose ex-husband is Ukrainian, joined the team. Agnes’s son also plans to skydive once he turns 16. For many of them, this was a first-time experience. Vadym and Agnes were very nervous, but their determination to help Ukrainian children overcame their fear.
More Than Skydives: Year-Round Support
We connected with Rick through social media—he began supporting our Foundation with regular donations, and we were impressed by his ongoing involvement. Through skydiving, he aims to draw the attention of local media to Ukraine so more people learn about the needs of Ukrainian children and join in supporting the Foundation’s work.
Rick doesn’t limit himself to skydives. Throughout the year, he organizes charity quizzes, dance nights, and online sales. Last year, he even raffled off our book of children’s quotes, The War Through the Voices of Children, for donations. In 2024 alone, Rick personally donated over €2,000 to the Foundation, and his team raised another £3,000 during the skydive.
He believes that those fortunate enough not to experience war should enjoy life to the fullest—and, at the same time, help those who are living through it. His example has inspired others. Elizabeth from North Ferriby learned about our Foundation through Rick’s initiative and later took flying lessons herself to raise funds for Ukrainian children. Together with her family, friends, and the Hull 4 Ukraine community, she donated £605 to us in 2024.
A Message of Hope for Ukraine
Rick is learning Ukrainian, even though he knew nothing about the country before the war. He dreams of seeing the war end and Ukraine becomes truly free. His message to Ukrainian children is filled with hope for the future.
When this war ends—and we all hope it ends soon—and there is a just peace in a free Ukraine, it will be up to you, the next generation, to rebuild Ukraine and make it strong and prosperous. The courage you have shown over the past three years means you will be up to the task,
He hopes to visit and see the work of Voices of Children firsthand and even invite one of us to join a charity skydive.
And we’ll keep going even after the war ends—to help children process what they’ve been through,
Rick Green’s story is inspiring and shows that support can come from anywhere. We are deeply grateful to him and all the members of the Boston Skyjive initiative for their friendship and support.
Like Rick Green, you can join our mission of helping Ukrainian children survive war trauma and find the strength to build a happy future. Every donation helps us support the children who need it most—and their families.
Like Rick Green, you can join our mission of helping Ukrainian children survive war trauma and find the strength to build a happy future. Every donation helps us support the children who need it most—and their families.
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