Thanks to a Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) initiative supported by Members, staff, private individuals, and local businesses, the Club is proud to be hosting a family from Ukraine at the KSSS facility in Saltsjöbaden.

The Ukrainian family escaped from their hometown, Charkiv, when the war began, and the parents and three children, ages 9, 7 and 2, were only able to gather two suitcases full of clothes as they fled by car. As of May, they are now living in an apartment in KSSS´s “Sailors House,” located at the regatta and training center in Saltsjöbaden, next to the Club office.

The apartment was far from ready to welcome a whole family. Typically, visiting sailors will stay in these accommodations overnight in connection with regattas and training camps, requiring few amenities or comforts. There was no kitchen and no furniture, except for a few beds. With fantastic support from KSSS Members, private individuals, enterprises and some neighbourhood stores, as well as incredible support from KSSS staff, the apartment was transformed into a comfortable home for the family to stay in. The family were both happy and overwhelmed when they moved in, and were grateful for a home equipped with all the necessities including food, as well as toys for the children.

When the war began, KSSS immediately followed the initiative from World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee to ban sailors, leaders and officers from Russia and Belarus from participating in regattas and other events organized by KSSS. In line with that decision, KSSS identified a greater opportunity to provide support for a refugee family by offering a temporary home. This initiative can now be considered a success thanks to support from local aid organizations.

KSSS are very thankful for all helping hands that have made this possible and hope this initiative might cause some creative solutions by other clubs. Every small action helps.