Ivan Gordienko
Taking on a physical challenge – whether a marathon, a 5K, or a triathlon is more than just a test of endurance. For the supporters of Gift of Life, it’s a powerful way to raise awareness and vital funds for children battling cancer.
In recent years, more and more of our supporters and volunteers have turned to sport as a way of giving back. Charity runs, endurance hikes, and obstacle races have become one of the most inspiring ways to turn personal goals into life-saving support for children in urgent need of treatment.
Sport That Saves Lives
On 27 April 2025, one of our dedicated supporters, Ivan Gordienko, ran the 45th TCS London Marathon, all 26.2 miles of it, to support children with cancer under the care of Gift of Life. More than 56,000 participants joined this year’s iconic race, and Ivan was among them, proudly completing the challenge after months of preparation.
Through his marathon fundraiser, Ivan raised an incredible £8,210, helping to fund vital medications that are often unavailable or unaffordable for families across the CIS. “Every penny, every cheer, brings us closer to giving these kids a fighting chance,” he shared. His run was not only a personal achievement, but a generous gift of life for those who need it most.
Ivan’s journey is an inspiration to anyone considering a charity challenge of their own. But Ivan is not alone. Sergei Ionov, a long-time supporter of the foundation and a father of three, has completed some of the world’s most challenging ultramarathons, including the legendary Badwater 135, to raise awareness and funds. Over five demanding challenges in the past 10 years, his efforts as a volunteer fundraiser have brought in more than £28,000 for Gift of Life, while also inspiring others to get involved.
“You have to set yourself a challenging goal that makes you go beyond your limits,” Sergei says. “If you’re trying to involve other people in your fundraising, you’ve got to find common interests or take them by surprise.”
Sergei Ionov
For Mariia Karpova, running the London Big Half Marathon in 2024 was her first charity race, and it helped raise over £2,100. “I truly believe every child deserves an equal chance to live a beautiful life,” she wrote on her campaign page, a belief shared by many of our supporters who run, walk, or test themselves in aid of Gift of Life.
Mariia Karpova
And even smaller events can make a huge difference. In 2024, Svetlana Dimakova marked her birthday by running the Thorpe Park 5K Run and asking for donations instead of gifts. She raised £480, enough to fund some essential medications and proved that kindness, paired with determination, can take many forms.
From mountain summits to marathons, our supporters have taken on extraordinary challenges to bring hope to children in need. In 2018, entrepreneur Konstantin Sidorov and philanthropist Igor Tsukanov climbed Lenin Peak (7,134 m), one of the tallest mountains in Central Asia, raising £1,627 for Gift of Life. Their high-altitude expedition was not only an extraordinary challenge but, more importantly, helped draw attention to the mission of Gift of Life. That same year, Alina Baxter, a hotelier and a long-time supporter of children’s charities, ran the White Nights Marathon in St Petersburg and raised £600 in support of our cause. Her campaign showed that every personal milestone can be transformed into meaningful support.
Konstantin Sidorov and Igor Tsukanov
In 2017, Anton Kovalchuk summited Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, and raised £887 in support of Gift of Life. Anton had previously tackled Kilimanjaro and the Himalayas, but this was his first time combining his passion with a charitable cause, raising vital funds to help children in need. Earlier that year, Ignaty Dyakov-Richmond, a cancer survivor and dedicated supporter, completed the gruelling 100 km London to Brighton walk, raising £1,375. Ignaty’s strength and personal story continue to inspire many in our community.
Anton Kovalchuk
Ignaty Dyakov-Richmond
One of the longest-running sport fundraising initiatives is the Legal Run, a global charity project that unites members of the legal profession, along with their friends and colleagues, through annual runs held in cities around the world. Since launching in 2014, Legal Run has taken place in more than 50 cities, including London, Milan, Dubai, and Limassol. Each year, lawyers and legal professionals take part in 5K runs to raise awareness and funds for children. In London, events like the Legal Run Hyde Park 2017 raised over £1,300 in a single day thanks to volunteers and legal professionals coming together to run for a cause.
Each of these challenges whether on foot, on the road, or at altitude represents a deep commitment to the children we support. Together, these efforts prove that when passion meets purpose, even the toughest journey can bring life-saving change. To every one of our incredible fundraisers: thank you! Your courage, dedication, and compassion help us give children the greatest gift of all – a chance to live.
How You Can Join
Interested in becoming a fundraiser? Getting started is simple:
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Choose your challenge. Whether it’s 10,000 steps a day, a 5K, or a triathlon – the goal is yours to define.
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Set up a fundraising page at giftoflife.eu/fundraise-for-us.
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Share your story. Tell your community why you’re supporting Gift of Life and invite them to contribute.
Every mile matters. Every pound raised goes towards a life-saving cancer treatment. Together, we can make sure that no child is left without the medical help they need.