Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation continues to support children in Ukraine through football and mental health care.

Four years on from the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, too many children are still living with fear, disruption and loss. For families already under immense strain, winter conditions and daily power cuts add another layer of hardship, as cold temperatures and ongoing uncertainty make daily life harder and childhood harder to protect.

The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation is continuing its work in Ukraine in partnership with FC Shakhtar’s United Together Programme, supporting children affected by conflict through football training and mental health support. The programme is designed to help children regain a sense of routine and safety, while giving them space to process what they have experienced and strengthen their wellbeing.

For children who have endured prolonged instability, these regular sessions can provide something that has become rare, a dependable structure to the week and a place where they can simply be children. Football offers a shared purpose and an energy outlet, while mental health support helps children build coping strategies and confidence.

While the war has dominated Ukraine’s recent history, its impact on children is often measured in quieter moments. Interrupted schooling, displacement, separation from loved ones, and the stress of living with constant risk can leave deep marks. This is focused on responding to those realities with care that is practical and consistent.

Sir Bobby Charlton believed that every child had the right to play safely. That belief continues to guide the Foundation’s approach in Ukraine, where the simple act of play can become a vital step in recovery.

The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation remains committed to standing with Ukraine’s children for as long as support is needed. As the war approaches its fourth year, the Foundation is calling on supporters to help sustain this work, ensuring that children and families can continue to access the stability and care they deserve.

Supporters can help by sharing the Foundation’s message, raising awareness of the ongoing impact of the war on children, or donating to strengthen and extend the programmes currently reaching young people in Ukraine.

Thank you to everyone who supports this work and stands with Ukraine’s children.

Donate here: https://www.thesbcfoundation.org/donation/