Everest champion jockey Craig Williams opens up on humanitarian visits to war-torn Ukraine and raising over $2million for victims of the conflict: ‘Everyone’s a target’

Veteran jockey Craig Williams will line up for the 2023 running of the world’s richest turf race The Everest at Royal Randwick today with a very different perspective from last year after devoting himself to helping the people of Ukraine.

Williams rode Giga Kick to victory at the 2022 Everest but was sensationally sacked with James McDonald replacing him for the thoroughbred’s title defence.

However while Giga Kick has been sensationally ruled out of the 2023 race due to a torn gluteal muscle, Williams will get to ride $10million Gai Waterhouse mare Alcohol Free.

Williams didn’t have time to kick stones when it came to be stripped of his ride on Giga Kick, though, with the champion jockey and his Ukrainian-born wife Larysa focused on dangerous humanitarian aid trips to war-torn Ukraine this year.

It all started with a desire to help the people of Ukraine in the struggle against invading Russian forces. 

Williams and his Ukrainian-born wife Larysa are supporting civilians and fighters in the war-torn country

Larysa puts together vital trauma kits used to help civilian fighters on the front line defending their country against invading forces

Williams sought to use his profile to raise funds and was told $25,000 would be an admiral target. He raised over $2million through his charity fund.

‘We wouldn’t have been able to do it without predominantly the support of the thoroughbred racing industry, but we get donations from pensioners who send $13 or $25 every two weeks,’ Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald. 

‘The worst part is I don’t have an email to thank them, or I can’t walk up to them in the street.’ 

But it was when Williams and his wife Larysa looked into creating trauma kits for fighters in the front line that they knew their place was in Ukraine, not on Australian shores.

It became quickly obvious the effort required to put together vital medical kits for the front line would require more than a few trips to the chemist.

The dossier on what is required is 26 pages long and includes details on Israeli bandages, QuikClot, tourniquets, staples, staple guns and other products required to quickly patch up injured soldiers.

‘We’re not talking about paper cuts, band-aids or blistex,’ Williams said.

‘They don’t have 26 minutes to stitch people up on the front line. It opened our eyes to something a lot different to what we’ve ever had to deal with.’ 

Williams and Larysa have made several trips to Ukraine in 2022 and 2023 to help out where they can

The couple first entered the country over the Poland border in the middle of the night and immediately knew they were in a warzone

So Williams and his wife have made several trips to Ukraine last year and in 2023 to assemble and deliver trauma kits and help the locals in any way they can.

He described his first trip, slipping over the Poland border in the dead of night to deliver supplies to civilian fighters.

‘You went 400 metres to the Ukrainian side, and you think, ‘Oh my goodness’,’ Williams said.

‘You could feel the difference. Young men and women, old men and women, they have automatic guns – and they’re out. You could feel the heaviness in the air, the enormity of war, and a next door neighbour not at war.

‘But I wasn’t scared.’

Williams is back in Australia for The Everest and a busy Spring Racing Carnival, but there is little doubt that as long as there is conflict in Ukraine, him and his wife will return to provide aid. 

‘The people of Ukraine didn’t want war, they didn’t ask for war, but they are courageous, resilient and united, and they know this is a war they have to win,’ his Instagram reads.

‘If Russia stops fighting, the war ends – but if Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends.’

Williams storms home to win the 2022 Everest aboard Giga Kick at Royal Randwick

While Williams was sacked from riding Giga Kick, he will get to ride in the 2023 Everest while Giga Kick has been ruled out through injury

Williams’ efforts have been roundly praised, with Aussie sports stars including former AFL star Brendan Fevola supporting his work.  

‘Craig you are an exceptional human. Thankyou for sharing and letting me see what you are doing over there. Stay safe,’ one supporter posted. 

‘Good bless you and your family Craig, incredible work you guys are doing. Stay safe. I pray the war in Ukraine comes to an end soon,’ added another. 

‘My heart breaks for Ukraine and it’s innocent people. I am so incredibly proud of Team Williams and all we have achieved since the war started,’ another posted. 

Donations to the Ukraine fundraiser can be made at craigwilliamsjockey.com.au/Ukraine