Hitting the right notes to help Ukraine

Wednesday 06 July 2022

Last week's Salvation Army music night generated over £900 for Ukraine, and tonight islanders are being invited to enjoy a fundraising evening of classical music featuring a Ukrainian pianist.

The Salvation Army event took place on Friday 1 July and raised a total of £929 for their international Ukraine appeal.

The money raised will be sent to the Salvation Army corps based in Ukraine. It will be used to buy essentials such as food, water, and clothing, help support with temporary accommodation, and help people cross borders into safer neighbouring countries.

Attendees at the Salvation Army music night were treated to performances from local musicians Julie Holley and Zoe Pirouet, Ronan Benson and Ricardo Santos, Mark Sims and Jimi Shark, as well as a selection of home-made pizzas and Ukrainian desserts. 

Pictured: A number of traditional Ukrainian desserts, made by those who attended the Salvation Army event, were for sale on the evening.

Emily Smith, Community Centre Manager, said: "It was a fantastic evening and we were delighted with the amount of money we raised. The Salvation Army has been supporting those caught in the conflict with Russia since it began and it was great to see the community of Jersey come together to help support those suffering.  

"A number of members of the Ukrainian community in Jersey joined us for the evening and we were able to welcome them and show them how people in the Island care for those left in their home country."

Pictured: Local musicians, Julie Holley and Zoe Pirouet, performed at the event last Friday.

Deputy Inna Gardiner also attended the event and added: "Warm atmosphere, great music and Ukrainian treats. Thank you Salvation Army Jersey!"

Tonight, will be the turn of the St. Helier Town Church who are hosting an evening of classical music. The musicians will perform on piano, organ, cello and violin, with some arias by soprano. The programme will include pieces by Bach, Rachmaninov, Handel, Piazzola, Sibelius, John Williams, Purcell and Ukrainian composers.

The musicians performing include Elena Fedorenko who is a Ukrainian national and a graduate of both the Odessa National A.V.Nezhdanova Academy of Music in Ukraine and the Royal Academy of Music in London.

She will be joined by Nicole Wyatt (violin), Libby Gill (cello), Sam Cole (piano), George Walker (organ) and Esther Shea, a Jersey-raised Soprano. 

Pictured: Salvation Army volunteer, Sophie Boleat, treated guests to homemade pizzas.

Lera Evered, the event organiser, said: “Music makes people feel and think, any language, no borders. It is an opportunity for the community to join and share the feelings. 

“The concert is a reminder that the war has not gone away, and people do not know much about the Ukrainian culture so we are also trying to introduce the beauty and richness of it.”

The proceeds from the concert will be distributed evenly between Jersey Overseas Aid The Bailiff’s Ukraine Appeal (aided by Side by Side) and the British-Ukrainian Aid.

Both charities support people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Tonight's concert starts at 17:00 and is expected to last approximately 50 minutes.

Tickets are £20 and can be purchased HERE.