Lord Michael Ashcroft, a partner from the United Kingdom, joined the Foundation’s projects. He supported upgrading the bacteriological Laboratory in Lviv city and restoring the Children’s Creative and Sports Center in Borodianka by allocating USD 1.7 million for these projects.
“Olena Zelenska Foundation was established 2 years ago in response to the daily pain of Ukrainians. We wanted to give them back a normal and decent life that was ruined by the Russian attack – the ability to get treatment, to study, to have a roof over their heads. I am glad that we find like-minded people in different countries who help us with this and who care. Lord Ashcroft is just such a person. He understands that this is not just about Ukraine now but about the whole world. It is about preserving humanity and justice in it. Helping the victims of attack and aggression and being on their side is the foundation of civilization. Doing everything to reduce suffering is the fundamental value of modern humanity. I am incredibly grateful to the Lord and to everyone who shares these values and personally brings them to life. After all, so we improve not only the life of Ukrainians but of the whole world,” Olena Zelenska, the founder of the Foundation, pointed out.
Lord Ashcroft is a well-known British businessman who has been actively engaged in patronage activities for over 10 years. He has also supported Ukraine and the Ukrainians since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The Foundation team met Lord Ashcroft in February 2024 in London, where the Lord learned about the Foundation’s principal projects. Last month, Lord Ashcroft visited Kyiv and recorded an interview with First Lady Olena Zelenska for The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday media platforms.
Today, we have the results of collaboration with the Foundation: Lord Michael Ashcroft became a donor of two projects simultaneously and directed USD 1.7 million to them. This includes USD 200 thousand for upgrading the bacteriological Laboratory at the Children’s Medicine Center in Lviv city and USD 1.5 million for restoring the Children’s Creative and Sports Center in Borodianka city of Kyiv region.
“The more I have discovered about the Foundation from the First Lady, the more impressed I have been by its fantastic work. However, there is so much more that needs to be done in terms of reconstruction because Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages with little or no regard for the lives and welfare of their civilians,” Lord Michael Ashcroft said.
The first project to upgrade the bacteriological laboratory will allow 18,000 children to be diagnosed annually so their diseases can be detected and treated promptly.
Upgrading the laboratory in the hospital, which examines and treats more than 130 thousand children from all over Ukraine, was extremely important, especially for seriously ill children who have cancer or are waiting for a transplant.
Lord Ashcroft has fully funded upgrading the bacteriological laboratory, and its launch is nearing completion now.
In addition, Lord Ashcroft joined the Foundation’s project to restore the Children’s Creative and Sports Center in Borodianka city.
Before the full-scale war, the children's center was the leading sports and artistic development center for 2,000 children from Borodianka city and nearby communities. The Center was hosting 30 creative clubs and eight sports sections.
Olena Zelenska Foundation decided to rebuild the establishment from scratch and started a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Previously, in addition to Lord Ashcroft, a Canadian donor, The Temerty Foundation has also joined the initiative to restore the children’s center and allocated USD 1 million for restoration.
After this large-scale project is implemented, thousands of children will once again be able to visit the new children’s creative and sports center.
For reference:
Lord Michael Ashcroft has supported the Ukrainians and Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
The Lord has published a significant number of articles in support of Ukraine.
He has also visited Ukraine eight times (the last time was in August 2024).
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster.
For more information on his work, visit lordashcroft.com.
Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft.
