Hunters with Ukraine, the story of a solidarity initiative: "We could not stand idly by".
An expedition formed by some of the leaders of the hunting sector in Spain has transported tons of food and basic necessities to the border between Poland and Ukraine.
Two collection points were set up at the Cinegetica fair, where attendees generously collaborated with the cause.
The hunting sector shows, once again, its solidarity.
Unfortunately, war has returned to Europe.
The Russian army has been besieging and destroying the main Ukrainian cities for weeks, where chaos and devastation reign. This has caused millions of Ukrainian inhabitants to flee to the nearest borders, especially to Poland and Romania.
The Spanish hunting sector, overwhelmed by the terrible news coming from Ukraine, could not stand idly by.
Hunting sector, solidarity sector
"It all started with an audio sent by Lolo de Juan by the SCI Iberian ChapterYoung Wild Hunters group.
Donations from different sectors of society to the Ukrainian people did not stop reaching the most needy, and the hunting world could not be left behind.
On March 17, 18, 19 and 20, Cinegetica, the most important national hunting and conservation fair, was going to take place. In addition, that same March 20, the massive 20M Rural march was organized, which was attended by more than 400,000 people.
Knowing about these events, the sector got down to work and began to promote the donation of sanitary material, non-perishable food and utensils that could be useful in warlike circumstances. An account number was also provided to which anyone could donate for the purchase of these products.
At the gates of the fair, two collection points were set up where attendees donated tons of materials. The altruistic and solidary character of the hunting sector was already known by all, but the acceptance overwhelmed us.
The companies attending the fair also collaborated in this collection. In the end, the objective was achieved. The two trucks provided by Dibe meat for the cause were filled in record time.
The most needy will be grateful for the solidarity of the hunters.
On the way to the Ukrainian border: 3,500km of illusion.
The first part of the adventure was completed. Now the hardest part was to arrive in Ukraine.
Ahead 56 hours and 3156km non-stop from Extremadura to the Polish border. But the illusion and the feeling of solidarity overcame all obstacles along the way.
A group of leading hunters in the sector, including Laureano de las Cuevas, Lolo de Juan, Alejandro Palomares, Raúl Sánchez, José María Losa and Ignacio Ducay, among others.
Gratitude as currency: Arrival in Ukraine
After more than 3 days on the road, little food and a lot of free time, the group of hunters arrived in Ukraine.
There they met thousands of people in need. People like us, who would never have thought that this situation would happen to them. People who, the only thing they do is to be thankful.
The donations are already at their destination. It is just a small grain of sand among so much devastation and suffering, but help is necessary and essential. And little by little, we will be able to help many people.
The reason for this initiative: We are hunters, and we are in solidarity.
Some of the brave people who have gone to the Ukrainian border with Poland have given us their impressions.
Why this initiative: We are hunters, and we are in solidarity.
Some of the brave people who went to the Ukrainian-Polish border gave us their impressions.
Ignacio Ducay
CEO of Young Wild Hunters
"The motivation for the trip came as a result of a message sent by Lolo de Juan in the Safari Club International Iberian Chapter group that made my hair stand on end. For me it was a kind of call, a personal feeling in which I said to myself "as a hunter, I have to collaborate with what I can". If there is any social work within the sector, I always try to participate in it, both for personal satisfaction and to clean up the name and culture of hunting.
In the end, we hunters are normal people, even if they see us as monsters and murderers, but we only want to help nature and society through hunting.
Once I read that message and felt that chill, I didn't even think about it. I immediately wrote to Raul asking to join the group, and I offered the services of Young Wild Hunters altruistically so that this initiative could have the maximum possible impact. I love helping people, and I want to carry the message that hunters are not just about pulling the trigger as many people think.
I think this trip brings me several things. On the one hand, I see it as necessary on a personal level in the internal growth that I feel. There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to lend a hand to others and offer the help we would like to have if we were going through that situation.
I am very young, I had never lived through a time of war in Europe, and being able to do my bit fills me with pride. My father once taught me a way of looking at things: "better to light a candle, no matter how small, than to curse the darkness". From the moment this initiative was made public, the reception has been impressive."