A 70-kilometre walk to save orphans in Ukraine

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Gary Meyers set himself the challenge to complete a 70-kilometre walk from Macquarie Lighthouse in Watsons Bay to Sea Cliff Bridge in Stanwell Park to raise funds for orphans in Ukraine.

Brian Fine, Gary Meyers and Mike Fisher

Gary is a member of the ‘Alte Zagen’ social group in Sydney which has raised $20,000 for the United Israel Appeal in order to rescue Jewish orphans in Ukraine during the current crisis.

For two of the group’s committee members, Brian Fine and Michael Fisher, the issue of orphans in crisis is very close to their hearts, as both their fathers were Ochberg Orphans rescued from Ukraine 100 years ago. This was the inspiration behind the group’s fundraising campaign.

An estimated 200,000 children in Ukraine’s orphanages are at risk. The first refugees welcomed into Israel were 100 children from an orphanage in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Keren Hayesod-UIA is working to rescue thousands more and bring them to safety in Israel.

The end of the road

“Our initial target of $500 was instantly smashed thanks to the very generous support of Alte Zagen members and bolstered with a personal walking challenge by Gary Meyers. When you believe in something with all your heart, nothing is impossible,” Brian Fine said.

The ‘Alte Zagen’ social group was established around 10 years ago by six like-minded men, who met for lunch once a month. The group has grown since then to about 90 members, consisting of men mainly aged 60 and over and are retired or semi-retired. During the pandemic when virtual meetings occurred, about 150 attendees would join from Sydney, interstate and overseas.

With no particular agenda or affiliations, the group’s meetings encourage community engagement and fellowship, and it has become a tradition for attendees to contribute to the Tzedakah box, with proceeds going towards worthy causes.

UIA CEO Yair Miller said:  “We are so grateful to Gary, Brian and Michael for their efforts which have enabled an amazing amount of money to be raised for some of the most vulnerable Jewish refugees from the unfolding war in Ukraine. Thanks to Gary’s effort in completing the walk and all those who have donated, we will be able to assist these orphans in such tangible ways. As the primary organisation charged with the rescue and integration of Jews in distress, UIA Australia is so privileged to have been the recipient on behalf of our beneficiaries of this incredible generosity of time, effort and resources.”