They call him the Ukrainian Terry Fox.

Born with cerebral palsy, Ukrainian man Oleksandr Kyyanytsya, set forth on a walking journey from Calgary to Banff on Thursday to raise money for medical equipment for the front lines in war-torn Ukraine.

The goal is to raise at least $20,000 during the July 3-28 walk, which will see Kyyanytsya make stops in Cochrane, Bragg Creek, Canmore, and Banff.

Roman Yosyfid, with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Calgary, told a crowd of supporters that the start of the journey marked a unique and powerful event.

“Despite the daily pain (Kyyanytsya) has, Oleksandr works to show that there is no true barriers to hope and determination,” Yosyfid said.

“More importantly, he works for those who cannot.He has named his journey the Gift of Walking, the reminder not to take for granted, the everyday ability so many of us overlook.”

Kyyanytsya, who lives in Montreal, said that it was very important for him to do this. He’s lost friends and loved ones in Ukraine’s war with Russia, and he wanted to do something for those countrymen who remain at home.

“I hope that my work gives very big results. Save a lot of lives,” he said.

“You have to be strong and help each other, just be human.”

He said that ultimately, he’d like to see an end to the war, which has taken a toll on the Ukrainian communities both at home and abroad.

“It’s very long and it’s taken a lot of lives. We just have to finish it,” he said.

More than two dozen supporters came out to walk the first few kilometres with Kyyanytsya, starting from the municipal plaza at Calgary city hall, going north along Macleod Trail and then west along Calgary’s River Walk.

Ukrainian community shows its support

Anhelina Taran, an active member of Calgary’s Ukrainian community, who spearheads several events geared to aiding Ukraine’s military efforts, said it’s an inspiring project for all Ukrainians to see.

Taran runs a YouTube news channel as a correspondent where she shows what’s happening in Canada to support Ukraine in its battle with Russia.

“When you are a small part of this project, when you just have the chance to tell them about the story, it’s, I don’t know how to describe it, but for me, it’s important,” she said.  

“It’s important for us that people can see us, that people can feel us, that people can join us.”

Taran said that, given Kyyanytsya’s physical challenges, seeing him tackle this challenge exemplifies the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

“He is like the spirit of Ukraine,” she said.

“He’s brave, he’s strong, and he’s moving through all of the challenges which he has in his life and shows us how it’s possible to do when you have two legs, when you have two arms, when you’re just human and you can make small steps to achieve your big goal.”

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek stopped by to wish Kyyanytsya a safe journey, with words for the supporters in their mother tongue. She said the city stands behind them.

“I stand with you. I will not waver in my support,” she said.

“I had the incredible pleasure of greeting President Zelenskyy, when he came for G7 and I said the same words to him. I think he understood them. It means a lot to me that all of you support each other and are so dedicated to the cause and your city stands with you.”

For more information on donations, visit the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary Branch.