Glossop dad to run 10K for children affected by war in Ukraine

A Glossop father of two who fled Ukraine with his family after the Russian invasion is taking part in a 10K run to raise money for children affected by the war.

Artem Davydov, 36, will take on the Bury 10K on Sunday 20th September to raise money for the Children’s Emergency Fund, run by Save the Children. 

He will be joined by his colleague Tamsin Stringfellow, a mum-of-two from Swinton, who is also taking part in the charity challenge. 

Artem, his wife and their two sons, now aged four and five, fled their home in Kyiv after their neighbourhood became heavily affected by the conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

His personal experience of the war has inspired him to raise money for children still affected by the conflict. 

“As a dad of two boys, and having seen the devastation first-hand in my home country, I wanted to do something for a charity working with children back in Ukraine” said Artem. 

“It is heartbreaking to think of children being forced to leave their homes, separated from everything they know, or spending night after night sheltering from attacks. No child should have to grow up that way.” 

Artem is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds through the challenge, with his employer, Manchester-based eyewear company Specscart, pledging to match donations. 

He said the support had given him even more motivation to complete the run. 

“I am really touched by the match funding that Specscart have promised too - it makes me even more determined to finish the course and raise as much money as I can for this fantastic charity who do so much good work in my home country” he said. 

Specscart founder Sid Sethi said the company was proud to support the two fundraisers: 

“We are really proud of Artem and Tamsin for taking on this fundraising challenge which will see Bury buzzing with runners all day.  We know our customers, staff and suppliers will be generous in their support for this good cause which is, understandably, very close to Artem’s heart.  We wish them all the best, and many of the Specscart team will be along the route and shouting encouragement as they cross the finish line.”   

Artem has a background in international work in Ukraine. He spent four years working as an assistant and interpreter for the Indian ambassador and five years with the International Committee of the Red Cross as a radio operator and management assistant. 

He speaks five languages and joined Specscart in August 2025, where he now works as an executive assistant. 

The Children’s Emergency Fund, run by Save the Children, provides support to children and families affected by humanitarian emergencies, including the war in Ukraine. 

Anyone wishing to support Artem’s fundraising can donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/artem-davydov-1