Distance for a Difference 4.0 Raises ₴1M for Ukraine’s Children’s Hospice

Community. Partnership. Global Impact. 

What if every kilometer you moved could change a child’s life? Three years ago, Symphony Solutions asked that question and turned it into action. Now in its fourth edition, Distance for a Difference went global — and together, we achieved something remarkable. 

Distance for a Difference 4.0  

• 1,490 participants from 26 countries 
• 39,825 km logged on Strava — nearly double the 20,000 km goal 
• Around 1,000 people at the offline event in Stryiskyi Park, Lviv on May 2 
• 1,000,000 UAH (approx. €20,000) raised for the Children’s Mobile Hospice in L’viv, Ukraine 

How the goal was reached: 

• €10,000 — committed by Symphony Solutions from day one 
• €3,400 — donated by the community 
• €6,600 — added by Symphony Solutions to reach the goal 

The full 1,000,000 UAH will be transferred to the Children’s Mobile Hospice, supporting 103 children with essential medical and daily care supplies. 

Distance for a Difference was founded by Valentyna Synenka, Board Member at Symphony Solutions, founder of the SHE Community, three-time Ironman 70.3 World Championship finisher, Kona ’25 participant.

“I’ve always believed that when people move together, they’re capable of anything. Four editions in, I know it to be true. Every kilometer we cover together means a child gets care.”

Valentyna Synenka

Founder, Distance for a Difference 

What is Distance for a Difference? 

Four years. Real movement. Real impact. 

Distance for a Difference is a global charity initiative started by Symphony Solutions, where people come together to turn physical activity into meaningful change. 

Every year, our community members run, walk, hikes, cycle, and swim, logging kilometers on Strava — while collectively raising funds for children who need it most. 

Across three editions, the DFD community has achieved: 

• 746+ participants across 26 countries 
• 24,472 km covered collectively 
• €24,500 raised and donated in total 
• 3 charities supported 

The Journey So Far: Four Years of Real Impact 

What began as a single run has grown into something far greater. Over three editions, the Distance for a Difference community has proven that when people move together with purpose, the impact is extraordinary. 

DFD 1.0 – Where It All Began Symphonians covered 1,452 km, surpassing the 1,316 km target  and raised €7,500 for Kherson City Hospital during the Russian occupation and after the Kakhovka dam eco-terror attack. 

DFD 2.0 – Growing the Family 276 participants, including Symphonians, families, friends, clients, and partners, covered 8,823 km and raised €7,000 for the Children’s Mobile Hospice in Lviv. 

DFD 3.0 – Raising the Bar The community raised €10,000 for the Children’s Mobile Hospice, funding 10 pulse oximeters and a Comfort Cough II insufflator, delivered directly to the children who needed them most. 

DFD 4.0 – Going Global Now we take it to the world stage. 

The Goal — Achieved 

Between May 1–10, the campaign supported 103 children at the Children’s Mobile Hospice in Lviv, in partnership with the With an Angel on a Shoulder Foundation. 

The funds are being used for: 

• Airway suction catheters — 3-month supply for all 103 children 
• 10 Biomed portable patient monitors 
• Diapers and daily hygiene supplies 
• Pulmicort inhalation medication 
• Palliative wet wipes 

All donations are collected through the Stand by Ukraine Foundation, a registered European charity fund, fully transparent and tax-exempt for international donors. 

On May 2, around 1,000 people gathered at Stryiskyi Park in Lviv, Ukraine for the offline social run — Symphonians, veterans, families, mothers of the children the hospice supports, and partners from across the city. The event was led by Valentyna Synenka, with personal participation by Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration, and Yurii Kholod, acting Head of the Lviv Oblast Council. 

This movement is made possible together with our partners: SHE Community and With an Angel on a Shoulder Foundation. 

Thank you to every person who moved, donated, or showed up.  

About With an Angel on a Shoulder Foundation 

Founded in Lviv, Ukraine, the Charitable Foundation “With an Angel on a Shoulder” has been providing support to children and young adults with serious illnesses since 2017. Ranked among the TOP 100+ most transparent charitable organizations in Ukraine, the foundation runs over 100 charity events annually and is supported by 108 volunteers. 

One of their key programs is the Children’s Mobile Hospice in Lviv — bringing vital medical care directly to children with incurable illnesses who cannot travel to a clinic. All funds raised through Distance for a Difference go directly to this program. 

About SHE Community 

SHE is a women’s empowerment community founded by Valentyna Synenka at Symphony Solutions, built around a simple idea: that women’s stories, achievements, and journeys deserve to be heard and celebrated. Through talks, runs, and community events, SHE brings together women from Ukraine and beyond, creating spaces to connect, grow, and inspire one another. From its first event in Lviv in 2018, SHE has grown into a vibrant community that moves with purpose, on and off the track.