Julia Cardy, a resident of Fredericton, is embarking on a journey starting on October 14th. She plans to walk over 250 kilometers along the Confederation Trail from East Point to Tignish, carrying the flag of the Alcatraz Battalion, a unit of Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade. The flag, symbolizing the sacrifices made by Ukrainians, has already covered 700 kilometers with Cardy’s friend April Huggett, a senior combat medic who walked from Kyiv to Kramatorsk to raise funds and awareness for soldiers in Ukraine.
Huggett’s walk had a profound impact on her perspective of the war, leading her to realize the unity and strength shared by everyone involved. Now, the flag continues its journey through Prince Edward Island as Cardy aims to raise $100,000 for the battalion. The friendship between Cardy and Huggett blossomed through their joint efforts in supporting Ukraine, including fundraising, aid deliveries, and volunteering in the country.
Cardy’s commitment to helping Ukraine dates back to 2004 when she observed elections in the country. Following the Russian invasion in 2022, she assisted Ukrainian refugees in relocating to New Brunswick. Their shared passion for aiding Ukraine led to various initiatives, such as collecting donations for an orphanage in Kharkiv and volunteering together in Ukraine.
The flag serves as a powerful symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine, transcending individual efforts and embodying the collective spirit of those who stand with the nation. It will eventually return to Ukraine, bearing the signatures of Canadian supporters. In the meantime, Cardy will carry it along the trails of P.E.I., symbolizing her commitment to taking meaningful steps towards supporting Ukraine.
