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More than $170,000 donated to Ukraine in less than 24 hours from initiative

Creative studio Metacurio announced its historic NFT collaboration with Wladimir Klitschko and legendary artist WhIsBe.

It has already generated more than $170,000 to support people from Ukraine.

The NFT series dropped on Wednesday, and it features four NFT editions of the artist's 'Vandal Gummy' bears in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

The collection is titled 'Vandalz for Ukraine: WhIsBe x Wladimir Klitschko.' Leading NFT marketplace Opensea were hosts for the launch of it and Sophie Watts, co-founder of Metacurio, spoke to Planet Sport about the project and spoke about their involvement in it.

"When this horrific crisis kicked off in Ukraine, we diverted strategies and sought in a time where the banking system is really difficult to use in Ukraine. (It) could be a really effective way to raise a lot of money by doing an NFT draft in support of the people of Ukraine in partnership with [Wladimir and Vitali] Klitschko.

"We work with a very well known digital artist called WhIsBe and we did some work with him on a very famous piece of art of his in 'Vandal Gummy' bears to create this collection of art which is for sale as of yesterday on Opensea, the biggest NFT marketplace.

"As of yesterday, on Opensea we have raised about $180,000 in under 24 hours so we are really proud and humbled to be doing this."
Three editions of "Vandal Gummy" bear NFTs are available at different price points of $100, $1,000, $10,000 and one of $1,000,000.

All funds from the drop will go directly toward supporting the people of Ukraine during this crisis, with participating partners waiving their fees. The drop sale will last for three weeks, and it started on Tuesday.

"This is not just a chance to own an astonishing piece of art history but, more importantly, an easy way to directly support the people of Ukraine who are in crisis right now," added Sophie Watts and fellow co-founder of Metacurio Jeff Hood in a joint statement.

"We are humbled to support this cause in every way possible. It is a magnificent initiative: a support through art, a superb 'suppart' at the service of people who suffer," Wladimir Klitschko said. "Art can be beautiful on many levels when used to serve humanity."

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be of service for the greater good," noted WhIsBe. "It's incredible to be able to use my art and this emerging technology to help others in need and provide immediate relief to any location in the world."
Wladimir Klitschko, founder, lecturer and longest-reigning heavyweight boxing world champion, and his brother Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and former world boxing champion, have been the faces of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
All proceeds will go to Red Cross Ukraine and UNICEF Ukraine, ensuring that funds from the NFT sale go directly to the resources most direly needed by Ukraine in its current defense against Russian forces.

Read more: Oleksandr Usyk, Vasiliy Lomachenko, the Klitschkos and the fight for Ukraine

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