London to Lviv • The Journey Has Begun

Pedalling to Ukraine

Matt Scarsi is cycling more than 2,200 kilometres from London to Lviv to raise £22,500 for Superhumans Ukraine.

Alongside him is a Pickups for Peace support vehicle which will help Matt on the road across Europe before remaining in Ukraine and beginning a completely new chapter of its own.

London to Lviv. By bike.

On Saturday 22 August, Matt Scarsi set off from the Ukrainian Embassy in London on an extraordinary journey across Europe to Ukraine.

Over 14 riding days, Matt plans to cycle more than 2,200 kilometres before eventually reaching Lviv.

The challenge is raising money for Superhumans Ukraine, supporting people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the war.

Pickups for Peace is proud to be part of the journey too, with one of our vehicles travelling alongside Matt as his support vehicle all the way towards Ukraine.

Matt Scarsi with friends, family and representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy before setting off for Ukraine
14 Riding Days
2,200+ Kilometres
London Starting Point
Lviv Destination
The journey begins

A Ukrainian send-off in London 🇺🇦

Matt was greeted outside the Ukrainian Embassy by Natalia, the Embassy's Press Secretary, and her colleague, who presented him with a Ukrainian flag before the ride began.

Friends and family gathered outside the Embassy in Holland Park to see him off at 9am, with members of the Embassy team very kindly coming out on a Saturday morning to wish him well.

“Щиро дякую за підтримку України і бажаю гарної подорожі.” “Thank you so much for supporting Ukraine and have a great journey.”

And then, after all the planning, training and fundraising, Matt was finally away.

Matt Scarsi and Sarah beside the Pickups for Peace support vehicle and Matt's bicycle
The Pickups for Peace connection

There are two journeys happening here.

Matt won't be making the journey alone.

Sarah is following in the Pickups for Peace support vehicle, carrying equipment and providing support while Matt makes his way across Europe.

But when Matt reaches Ukraine, the vehicle won't be coming home.

It will remain in Ukraine and begin the next stage of its working life, joining the hundreds of vehicles already delivered by Pickups for Peace.

For more than 2,200km, it will support Matt's journey. When he reaches Ukraine, its own journey of service begins.

Pickups for Peace support vehicle at Dover during Matt Scarsi's London to Lviv cycle challenge

The Journey

More than 2,200 kilometres across Europe, from the Ukrainian Embassy in London all the way to Ukraine.

London → Europe → Ukraine → Lviv 🇺🇦

Rather than publishing every planned stop in advance, we'll share Matt's progress as the journey unfolds, with updates, photographs and stories from the road.

As heard on Battleground

A welcome shoutout from Battleground

We've been incredibly grateful for the support of the team behind Battleground, the podcast which has been documenting and discussing events in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

After previously giving Pickups for Peace a mention earlier this year, they have once again kindly highlighted our work, this time while talking about Matt's London-to-Lviv challenge and the Pickups for Peace support vehicle making the journey alongside him.

A huge thank you to the Battleground team for continuing to tell the story of Ukraine and for helping introduce Pickups for Peace to even more people.

Listen to Battleground

Follow the Journey

Matt is officially on his way, and we'll be following the bike and the mighty P4P pickup as they head towards Ukraine.

Matt Scarsi with his bicycle after reaching Dover on his London to Lviv ride
Journey Update

London → Dover ✅

Following the send-off from the Ukrainian Embassy, Matt began the first leg of his journey south towards Dover.

He was joined on the bike by a colleague for the first stretch, while Sarah followed behind in the Pickups for Peace vehicle, keeping the support operation rolling.

Matt made it safely to Dover and the team then headed across the Channel for their first night in Calais.

London is behind him. Ukraine lies ahead. 🚲🇺🇦

Matt with supporters outside the Ukrainian Embassy in London Pickups for Peace support vehicle beside the sea at Dover

Help Matt reach Lviv and his £22,500 target.

Every donation supports Matt's fundraising for Superhumans Ukraine as he pedals more than 2,200 kilometres across Europe.

Donate via JustGiving