Press release 25.03.2022
More than CHF 10,000 raised for the response of MSF in Ukraine by walkers on the Sentier des Toblerones
Over the weekend 19-20 March 2022, 73 local residents (and 4 dogs) joined in a collaborative fundraising walk along the symbolic Sentier des Toblerones, raising more than CHF 16,500 (as of 25 March) so far for Médecins Sans Frontières’ unrestricted fund. This money is being used to support their emergency work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
Why Médecins Sans Frontières?
From the MSF website: https://www.msf.org/war-ukraine
In late February 2022, attacks by Russian forces on multiple cities in Ukraine have since led over 3 million people to become refugees. As war spreads throughout Ukraine, people are fleeing the country. They are exhausted, scared and many are suffering from dehydration or hypothermia. Our teams in Ukraine have had to suspend our usual medical activities. We are now scaling up our emergency response in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. In addition to Ukraine, we have teams responding in Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Russia and Belarus.
More on the MSF response in each country: https://www.msf.org/msf-response-war-ukraine
Who participated?
Participants were a truly international mix of 73 Swiss residents, originally from Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, France, UK, Ireland, South Africa, USA, Argentina, Colombia, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Adults and children of all ages (the youngest in a buggy) were joined by 4 dogs. Amongst the dogs was the much-adored bulldog Gus, who maintained a slow and steady pace on day two of the walk, delighting many along the journey, and generating donations with his own fundraising page. Particularly impressive was the performance of two 8 year-olds, Bastian and Ines, and 10-year old Maya, who all walked the full 19km along the Sentier, from Bassins to Nyon.
“Our family has been watching the attack on Ukraine with horror for weeks. This walk was a great opportunity to channel our concern into positive action. We walked alongside others in our local community as an act of solidarity with Ukraine, as well as to raise much needed funds. As a bonus, we made new friends along the way.” (Rosa, Eysins)
“It was excellent. Walking along a beautiful historical trail, meeting new friends and all with a purpose – what could be better?” (Amber, Founex)
Why the Sentier des Toblerones?
A local friend of the organisers suggested the hiking trail would be symbolic, as it follows a defensive line of concrete triangular tank traps set up in the second world war between the Jura peaks and Lake Geneva. Walking along this reminder of war, the group would think of those suffering today.
From the SwissMobile website: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/routes/route-0114.html
“Around 1940, when German troops were attacking neutral countries such as Belgium and Norway, fears also reached very high levels in Switzerland. This prompted the start of construction work on the 'Promenthouse Defence Line': chunks of concrete were set up one after another along the courses of rivers and streams. Instead of removing them again, some were restored as a reminder of the war.”
Whilst walking, the organisers learned that one of the participants who came along with a friend works for the umbrella company that owns Toblerone. She had never heard of the Sentier des Toblerones (she said that if she had known in advance, she would have brought the chocolate for us all!). On the other hand, many others had heard of the Sentier but had never walked it (or at least not all sections).
It was really valuable to discover the walk and appreciate the local area, its natural beauty and some local history.
“The choice of a walk along a fortified anti-tank line meant we had a constant reminder of what is happening in Ukraine, and the heart-breaking destruction being cast down on the people there, partly by tanks like those that would have been impeded by the fortifications.
I got a renewed joy from exploring the wonderful nature trails in our immediate vicinity, but never far from my mind was the thought that the people of Ukraine were one moment enjoying walks such as the one we were having, and the next minute having their world turned upside down - it made me savour even more the those precious moments walking through peaceful beautiful countryside.” (Damian, Crans-près-Céligny)
An intriguing coincidence: Polish-Ukrainian link discovered along the way
“We were intrigued to discover, whilst walking (as the route also linked up with a historic trail through the Gland Golf course and the Chateau de Prangins), that the Avouillons estate was once owned (purchased in 1913) by Ignacy Jan Paderewskii - a Polish pianist, composer and politician who was born in a former Polish province in Russia that is now part of Ukraine. A spokesperson for Polish independence, he became the new nation’s Prime Minister in 1919, and as Foreign Minister he signed the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. Walking through this land, it felt like a hopeful omen. We can only hope so.” (Amber, Founex)
Sentier historique de la Côte: http://www.sentierhistoriquelacote.ch/en/the-history-trail/les-avouillons
More on Ignacy Jan Paderewskiii on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignacy_Jan_Paderewski
Noteworthy: There is a Paderewskii museum in Morges: https://paderewski-morges.ch/page.php?id=en4
Where did the idea come from?
The idea for the walk came from a family breakfast table conversation. Parents Elisabeth and Matthew Crudgington from Eysins wanted to know how their children (12 and 8) were coping with the news of the war in Ukraine, having come home from school during the week with stories, questions, a wish to watch the news headlines on loop, and a fair amount of anxiety.
“We asked the children to describe how they were feeling, and unsurprisingly they said they felt sad, angry, anxious and helpless. Our daughter said she wanted to be like Wangari Maathai’s hummingbird, but didnt know what to do. We knew, then, that we all needed to do something that would both be a contribution to the cause AND that would help us all manage our own emotions… something good for the soul. For our family, that means getting out into nature and walking together - and what better thing to do in solidarity with the refugees walking long distances to find safety!? So we decided to combine walking and taking time out to reflect with raising a little money to help the people of Ukraine.”
Discussing the idea further, the family decided upon an 18km walk along the Sentier des Toblerones one week later, and set up a JustGiving fundraising page with an option for anyone who wished to join the team and create their own linked page.
“We thought a few local friends might join in. We didn’t expect to be more than 70! And we were blown away when people we had never met joined the team and raised funds way beyond anything we could have imagined when we first spoke about a walk at the breakfast table!”
Future projects: Children’s books to enhance compassion as we integrate refugee children in our schools
Asked if they had other projects in mind, the organising family said they may well consider organising more walks in the future along other routes. They also are thinking about how to help refugees integrate in the local area - especially refugee children entering the local schools. As a start, they are putting together a list of children’s books that can help children and their parents reflect, discuss, and enhance compassion for refugee families and the children entering our schools. 12 year old Ona spoke about a particular favourite: The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf. Meanwhile a parent on the walk recommended My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner. And so the list grows. Do you have children’s book recommendations? If so, please email them to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It’s not too late to donate
If you would like to donate, it’s not too late! Visit the fundraising page and donate funds for MSF here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/WalkingforUkraineLesToblerones
Testimonials
“The Dalai Lama XIV said « If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. » At first I felt bad asking for money from friends, colleagues and contacts who are already incessantly solicited for financial support for any number of causes. Today I am proud of myself for doing so, as together as our team has raised significant funds over the course of a week. I am that mosquito! (Sascha, Mies)
“One day - the 24 of February 2022 - changed my life forever; the war started in Ukraine. All my family - my mum, sister, my grandmother - my friends, my country, my favourite places, my homeland, were at the same time all in horrible danger; everything and everybody! I stopped breathing! My life is no more the same. I was in terrible fear for my family, my friends, my sick grandmother… this fear - since then - every second with me, and it didn’t go away. Living in peace and with a high standard of life makes me feel useless and helpless; embarrassing compared to the situation in Ukraine. I started to do small things to support my country: donation, demonstration, helping refugee families, translator crash course for assisting refugees, collecting articles for Ukraine, brainstorming, and yesterday I did a walk with three small children for Ukraine! It is all small actions, but from all this, it could be something big if everybody could contribute to supporting Ukraine in their way! This fantastic walk with gorgeous people from everywhere moved my soul so much for their solidarity, openness, kindness, and remarkable support! Thank you so much, Lizzie, for organising such tremendous support!” (Natalya, Eysins)
“What encouraged me? Just to think that we could be the ones in need. These people were just fine some days ago and now are living in war just hoping miracles can happen. We are fine and healthy, and when I knew about the walk my mind pushed me to join the efforts and transform the anger I feel about this by helping them. I believe in the power of the many. What did I get from it? A mix of things: relief to know we are helping in a concrete way; satisfaction that our children join us because they care and understand this tough situation for many. It's not just about donating money, it's making an effort for it, taking the time, making a call to others to have a bigger impact. It was a wonderful day out, we enjoyed the walk, being in nature with our dog walking along.... our talks, and all for a good cause. We can't stop the war but we can support in many ways and show Ukrainians our solidarity.” (Olga, Tannay)
“It was an amazing feeling of solidarity. Beautiful hours spent walking together, reflecting, sharing our sadness, and also the things for which we are grateful, and the reasons to be hopeful.” (Matthew, Eysins)
“I admire Doctors Without Borders because they are very brave. It’s good they help people fleeing war in Ukraine and also in countries like Afghanistan. Our family in NZ and England were proud of us for doing this and made donations.” (Freya, age 11)
“I wanted to help people in Ukraine and other countries where there are wars. I feel proud I walked a long way to help people in war. I found it very interesting to learn about the fake houses and the Toblerone defences on the walk.” (Ines, age 8)
