On Sunday (27th April), Miss Kaminska, our plucky Learning Support Teaching Assistant, ran the Manchester Marathon to raise funds for Hospitallers, a Ukrainian volunteer medical battalion that provides frontline trauma care and evacuates wounded soldiers and civilians.
Despite the energy-sapping high temperature, which was a challenge for every runner, she completed the marathon in a time of 4:14:26.
Miss Kaminska said “I was aiming for sub-4 hours and managed to stick to my pace strategy for the first 25km, but after that, the heat hit hard. Still, I’m so happy with the result, just finishing the race felt like a massive achievement in itself — and even more so with the purpose I carried with me every step of the way. The atmosphere during the event was just incredible — people shouting your name, handing out water and sweets, giving high fives — the energy and support really carried me through the hardest moments. It was truly unforgettable and worth every bit of struggle.”
Hospitallers is a deeply personal cause for the Ukrainian who came to the UK following the Russian invasion in 2022. She has strived not only to rebuild her life far from home, but also to continue to support Ukraine where she can.
Miss Kaminska said: “This was more than just a marathon for me. I ran in loving memory of my uncle, Sergii, who joined the Ukrainian army at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 and was sadly killed in August 2024. He was a kind and caring man who gave his life to protect others.”
If you are able to support Miss Kaminska and her fundraising please visit her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/marathon-for-heroes…
Miss Kaminska added: “Thank you so much for the kind support and donations. Any donation—no matter how small—can help save lives and bring hope to families facing unimaginable hardship.”
WHS Headteacher, Ms Pigdon, commented: “We are incredibly proud of our Nas [Miss Kaminska] for taking on the Manchester Marathon in support of such a vital cause. Her dedication to raising funds for Hospitallers, a Ukrainian volunteer medical battalion, is inspiring. Running in memory of her uncle, who gave his life in service to others—makes this effort all the more meaningful.
“As a school community, we stand behind Nas every step of the 26.2 miles and encourage anyone who can to support her fundraising efforts. Nas continually shows compassion and the utmost resilience, which reflect the values we hope to instil in all our students.”
