Everest champion jockey Craig Williams opens up on humanitarian visits to war-torn Ukraine and raising over $2million for victims of the conflict: ‘Everyone’s a target’

Veteran rider Craig Williams will line up for the 2023 race of the world’s richest terrain race Everest at Royal Randwick today with a very different outlook to last year after he dedicated himself to helping the people of Ukraine.

Williams rode Giga Kick to victory at Everest 2022 but was sensationally fired with James McDonald replacing him for the thoroughbred title defence.

However, while Giga Kick has been sensationally ruled out of the 2023 race due to a torn gluteal muscle, Williams will ride the $10 million Gai Waterhouse mare Alcohol Free.

Williams had no time for stonewalling when it came to pulling off his Giga Kick ride, however, with the champion jockey and his Ukrainian-born wife Larysa focused on dangerous humanitarian aid trips to devastated Ukraine from the war this year.

It all started with a desire to help the people of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian occupation forces.

Williams asked to use his profile to raise funds and was told that $25,000 would be an admiral goal. He raised over $2 million through his charity fund.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of mainly the thoroughbred racing industry, but we do get donations from retirees who send in $13 or $25 every fortnight,” Williams told Sydney. Morning Herald.

“The worst part is I don’t have an email to thank them, or I can’t go to them on the street.”

But when Williams and his wife Larysa set out to create trauma kits for frontline fighters, they knew their place was in Ukraine, not Australian shores.

It soon became clear that the effort required to assemble vital medical kits for the front line would require more than a few trips to the chemist.

The file on what’s wanted is 26 pages long and includes details on Israeli bandages, QuikClot, tunics, staples, staple guns and other products needed to quickly fix wounded soldiers.

“We’re not talking paper cuts, band-aids or blistex,” Williams said.

“They don’t have 26 minutes to sew people up on the front line. It opened our eyes to something very different from what we have ever had to deal with.’

So Williams and his wife have made several trips to Ukraine last year and in 2023 to collect and deliver trauma kits and help the locals in any way they can.

He described his first trip, slipping over the Polish border in the dark of night to deliver supplies to civilian fighters.

“You go 400 meters to the Ukrainian side and you think, ‘Oh my gosh,'” Williams said.

‘You can feel the difference. Young and old, old and women, they have guns – and they’re out. You can feel the heaviness in the air, the horror of war and a neighbor next door not at war.

“But I was not afraid.”

Williams is back in Australia for Everest and a busy spring racing carnival, but there is little doubt that as long as there is conflict in Ukraine, he and his wife will be back to lend a helping hand.

“The people of Ukraine did not want war, they did not ask for war, but they are brave, resilient and united, and they know that this is a war that they must win,” writes his Instagram.

“If Russia stops fighting, the war ends – but if Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends.”

Williams’ efforts have been widely praised, with Aussie sports stars including former AFL star Brendan Fevola supporting his work.

‘Craig you are an extraordinary man. Thanks for sharing and letting me see what you’re up to there. Stay safe,” one supporter posted.

‘Bless you and your family Craig, amazing work you are doing. Stay safe. I pray that the war in Ukraine will end soon,” added another.

“My heart breaks for Ukraine and they are innocent people. I’m incredibly proud of the Williams team and all we’ve achieved since the start of the war,” another posted.

Donations for fundraising in Ukraine can be made at craigwilliamsjockey.com.au/Ukraine