Since 2022, more than 40 families from Ukraine have made their home within the community of Odiham and the surrounding area. Most of the families have children who attend local schools and colleges and have made friends with their English peers.
Many of these young Ukrainian people are very musical and are part of bands, orchestras and ensembles in the area and just before Christmas 2024, several of them approached the local Youth and Children’s Outreach Pastor, Helen Chatfield, to ask if she would support them in putting on a concert at All Saints Church, alongside their English friends to raise money for a charity called Pickups for Peace, which sends 4×4 vehicles filled with humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Everyone in the diocese is invited to give generously to the cause in support of these amazing young people via their JustGiving page here >>>>
The concert was planned at the church for a date close to the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine (24 February). Many of the young people taking part have relatives fighting on the front line. Some even, unfortunately, know first-hand the importance of getting injured personnel to medical units with great speed.
The evening was made up of music of all genres including classical, folk, jazz and contemporary and across both the English and Ukrainian language. Between the acts, the audience also heard the stories of some of the Ukrainian musicians and their families, as well as other interesting facts about the culture in Ukraine. The interval also included some Ukrainian delicacies to enjoy with a glass of wine!
Two girls, Sofiia and Alvina, sang a song called ‘Старі фотографії’ meaning ‘Old Photos’. They said: “Time goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? And 3 years ago, none of us would have imagined we would be sitting here, joining in a concert with Ukrainian friends. We can never know what’s around the corner, or what tomorrow will bring. The song Old Photos is about the need to reflect upon our lives, the quick passage of time which changes us and takes us in directions we aren’t expecting. It reminds us to keep in touch with those far away and old friends, especially when distance and time can challenge those friendships. Remember those who are your true friends.”
Another song sung by the choir was called Одна калина, translated as ‘One Red Berry Tree’ or ‘Viburnum Tree’ which is very common tree in Ukrainian gardens. The song is about the most important things in life: love, family and your homeland:
"One viburnum tree outside the window
One family at the table
One path, that always gets me home
One love for a whole life
One sorrow to forget
And Ukraine, because we have no other."
Youth Pastor Helen said: “I am super proud of all the young people involved, and their mums who worked tirelessly in the kitchen. Although I was around for the practises and planning meetings, everything from advertising, program design, music choice, audio visual and lighting and even serving the food was done by the young people themselves.”
The audience who attended the concert were very moved. One audience member commented: “The youth were all brilliant and it was the most moving concert I have ever been to!” And another said: “What a moving and sensational display of talent. They sang and played their hearts out and the hospitality was wonderful. Thank you for all your time and trouble and we will hold Ukraine in our prayers tomorrow and this week. Stay strong!”
Some of the Ukrainians who took part also spoke of how poignant the occasion was: “It was powerful, incredible, beautiful, and deeply moving. We even shed a tear more than once—it was so emotional and touching. All the children are talented, wonderful, and gentle. And how amazing it is that today we were all like-minded, working in sync, like a crew on a great ship that fears no obstacles or storms. Without these incredible people, there wouldn’t have been that incredible energy and the overwhelming feeling that, after all, there is still kindness in the world.”
What next? Next week the committee of young people will be allocated a 4×4 vehicle and will be able to choose from the list of required items which will be driven to Ukraine around Easter. And beyond that the young people still have plans, including a donut sale at school this week. After the mammoth church clean-up on Saturday one of the young people asked: ‘So what will we do to raise money for the next one…?!’
