This was the fourth youth concert for Ukraine at All Saints Church in Odiham and the biggest so far, with more than 40 performers taking part. It was entitled ‘Symphony of Solidarity’ and was organised by British and Ukrainian young people. Just days after the fourth anniversary of the full scale invasion of Ukraine, they were keen to keep the conflict in people’s minds and raise money for humanitarian aid.
The concerts were started by Ukrainian young people who approached Youth Pastor Helen Clatfield because they felt powerless and wanted to do something to help. Among them was Sonya Samoilova who came to Odiham with her family three and a half years ago.
She said, “These concerts are the way to show our gratitude to British people and to spread the word about the war because as we mark the fourth anniversary, some people forget that this is happening and some people don’t realise that we’re still hurting and we still need help. We want to show people how we feel, our pain and what we need and also we want to make it fun. We want people to enjoy it and show our gratitude and how thankful we are for the help and support that they provide.”
The performers included singers, a string ensemble, pianist, violinist and bands made up of friends and school pals, with lyrics in both English and Ukrainian. Films accompanied some of the performances showing images of the impact of war.
The concert began with prayers and the singing of the Ukrainian National Anthem. It was attended by Bishop Rhiannon.
The concert was supporting a charity called ‘Pickups for Peace’ which sends out 4×4 vehicles packed with aid, such as medical supplies, toys for a local orphanage, power packs and generators, to Ukraine. So far the benefice has raised money to fund three vehicles and is now preparing to send out a fourth.
The young people planned the event, the advertising, programme design and the technical side of the evening such as lights and sound.
One of the organisers, Mason Williams, said, “I’m just trying to spread awareness of what I know is happening. I’m not Ukrainian, I’m English, but I find it quite empowering to share the message of Ukraine. It’s a good community feel with both English people and Ukrainians coming together to raise awareness of what’s going on and raise money to send aid out there.”
Fellow organiser Melinda Hughes said, “Being able to personally pack the vehicle, which we’ve done a couple times, and seeing what’s actually going to end up on the frontline and knowing that they’re actually directly going to help someone is incredible.”
Poppy Curtis added, “Sometimes when there’s a country being affected by war or disaster, you don’t actually properly feel it because you don’t physically see it. So I think something like this concert helps because you see the videos and hear from people from that country. It’s so good we’ve got such a big concert this time so that each person who comes and even just hears a sentence about what’s happening, it can be passed on. Before these concerts, I could maybe point to Ukraine on a map, but now it really does mean a lot to me. I couldn’t even imagine my family being impacted like that and it’s really touched me.”
The North Hampshire Downs Benefice has co-ordinated support for Ukraine. Four years ago a meeting held at the start of the invasion was attended by local schools, doctors, dentists and local residents.
More than 40 families from Ukraine made their home in Odiham and the surrounding villages. Half of the members of the youth club at All Saints are from Ukraine. Many haven’t seen family members in four years and have friends and family fighting on the frontline.
Alvina Sokolava said, “We wanted to support our people, our country, and it makes us feel better. Some people still have family in Ukraine, and they haven’t met them in four years. Can you imagine that? It’s really sad. Some people have lost their family members and their friends and it’s so hard.”
Sofia Zavorina added, “It’s actually unbelievable that it’s been four years, and we have this constant feeling of waiting. There is so little that we can do. Obviously, we are in school, and the only thing that we can do is just hope and pray. However, this concert is an opportunity to do something physical that will help. It’s really nice all the community that we have built and I’m so grateful for all of the people who are doing this. I can’t believe that I’m in a community that is so powerful.
“I know a lot of people who have suffered from losing their friends and family but I also know a lot of people who have gained really true friendships here. I think it’s really hopeful when you think about that. Of course, we all have this sadness in our souls but it’s also really hopeful to think about making new connections.”
During the interval the audience was treated to refreshments made by a hardworking team of local Ukrainian mothers, including Olga Akolisnyk, who said, “We are very proud of young people because they really wanted to do this. We are more proud that not only our Ukrainian children worry about what is going on in Ukraine, but also the local children from local schools and from local communities care about this. This was their initiative and it took them much time to organise it all.”
Many other events have been held to support the fundraising initiative including bake sales, ribbon sales and a yellow and blue mufti day in the primary school which have all been organised by the young people. There was a prayer service in the church last week and a photo exhibition entitled ‘Our Scarred Homeland’.
Youth Worker Helen Chatfield travelled out with one of the aid convoys last year and sent regular updates back home. She’s proud of what the young people have achieved.
Helen said, “For me, there’s a couple of things that have been particularly amazing. One of them is the relationships that I have seen flourish. Relationships that I’ve had, friendships that I’ve made with Ukrainian mums and dads and with the young people. People that when they arrived four years ago, I wouldn’t necessarily be able to understand them. We were using translators in every conversation and now we feel like family.
“The other thing that has inspired me is how the young people have stepped up. It is no exaggeration to say that they have taken on the whole of this. They have just been so motivated and inspiring and so determined to do something that matters. This is a generation that won’t look away. Many of them don’t come here on a Sunday but the church is seen as a place of hope, love and community.”
Saturday’s concert raised around £8,000. To donate to this important cause, find Odiham Youth’s JustGiving page here.
Sonya concluded, “I have friends in the military who are my age. When I contacted them, and I told them that we’re doing these concerts, and raising money for Ukraine, the amount of gratitude they showed was unbelievable.
“I feel guilt that I’m here and some of my friends are fighting. I want to go home to help with medical stuff or something physical to help my country but they say ‘stay here and do what you do’. So when we do this concert and we see how it changes lives, that’s good, We’re raising money for something so important and every donation makes such a difference. This concert is everything for most of us, especially for Ukrainians. We just feel like that’s the only way we can help.”
