St Johnstone teenager Max Kucheriavyi’s fundraising campaign for Ukrainian aid charities has hit the £5000 mark in just four days.
The midfielder – currently on loan at Kelty Hearts after a spell with Brechin City – wrapped himself in the blue and yellow flag of his homeland watching the recent midweek clash with Rangers.
But he was not content with making a gesture of support for family and friends caught up in horrors of the Russian invasion.
Top-rated Kucheriavyi (19), who penned a three-year deal with Saints last summer, has set-up a GoFundMe page.
He set a target of £500 and within hours had almost doubled it as Perth fans and other supporters pitched in with generous donations.
The youngster, who comes from Kyiv and was first spotted by former Scotland and Hearts boss Craig Levein, noted: “Most of you know where I’m from and have probably heard the story already. All the money will go to the charities.”
Perth boss Callum Davidson said the club has been supporting Kucheriavyi at a difficult time.
Club captain Liam Gordon said: “I’m proud to wear the Ukrainian flag on my armband to show my support for Max and the people of his country.
“No young lad should have to go through this. It must be so hard for him. I can’t imagine what it’s like. He must be having sleepless nights.
“Everybody would have understood if he’d phoned the manager and said he didn’t want to come into training.
“But wee Maxy turns up every day and gives his all. It’s breaking all our hearts to see what he’s going through at the moment. If there’s any little thing we can do to support him, we will. He’s a great young professional.”
Max's page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jdyud2-help-back-home
