In early July, the Brave Hearts charity ball, organised by U+ System, brought together stories of courage, resilience, and recovery. The Zhebrivski Family Charitable Foundation joined the initiative, contributing UAH 500,000 to support the event.

The ball highlighted the courage and resilience of Ukrainian defenders. Its main protagonists were ten pairs of active-duty service members and veterans who stepped onto the dance floor for the first time and shared their emotions through dance. Among the participants were defenders who had sustained severe injuries yet demonstrated extraordinary strength and determination.

Each performance told a unique story and evoked powerful emotions. One of the most moving was the story of Serhii, head of a pyrotechnic unit of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, who was involved in demining operations in the Kharkiv region and was injured by an anti-personnel mine. Together with his dance partner, Daria, he portrayed the image of light overcoming darkness. The pair chose the paso doble for their performance.

Equally inspiring was the story of Mykola, a serviceman with the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, and his girlfriend, Liza. Mykola joined the Armed Forces in the first days of the full-scale invasion and sustained a severe injury in the Sumy region. Despite having no professional dance experience, the couple captivated the audience with their energy and ease, performing a vibrant disco routine.

Vlad and Iryna impressed the audience with their passion and energy. Vlad was mobilised in 2022 and sustained a leg injury after stepping on a mine. His first question to doctors after surgery was: “Will I be able to ride a motorcycle again?” The answer was yes. This is why a motorcycle became the central element of their dance – a symbol of returning to life and making a dream come true. Their performance became one of the most emotional moments of the evening.

The charity ball was directed and choreographed by Olena Shoptenko, with Bohdan Urkhov serving as the production choreographer.

U+ System is a modern centre for prosthetics, rehabilitation, and comprehensive support for military personnel and civilians affected by the war. The centre helps patients restore their physical and mental health and return to fulfilling lives.

The charity auction held during the event raised more than UAH 8.4 million. The funds will be used to provide prosthetics, rehabilitation, and recovery support for service members and veterans.

Supporting veterans and military personnel is one of the key priorities of the Zhebrivski Family Charitable Foundation. The Foundation’s participation in the Brave Hearts project represents another contribution to the recovery and rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders.