On the 27th April 2022, 2 months and 4 days since the invasion started in Ukraine, a “one of a kind” event took place at the Blue Orchid Hotel, Tower Hill, in London.

Bringing together an unusual mix of famous British and Ukrainian personas, a series of unique auction items and an audience of 200 guests (130 seated inside and approximately 70 outside), the exclusive event was designed to raise funds for the people of Ukraine.

The room was symbolically dressed in blue and yellow details and shone in a deep blue light to set the sentimental scene. Each table was thoughtfully decorated with a bouquet of sunflowers, the flower of Ukraine. The hand crafted blue and yellow vases which featured a white dove to signifying love and peace, were donated by Ross Marshall from Spreyton Pottery in Devon, and were later auctioned off.

Hosted by X Factor contestant and actor, Jonathon Bremner, the evening begun with an emotional speech delivered virtually from Kharkiv, one of the conflict front-line cities in Ukraine. Taras Topolia and Dmytro Zholud of Antytila, a famous Ukrainian band, welcomed the audience. Taras delivered a heartfelt message before their joint performance - from a bunker.

“…Before the war started, we (Antytila) were counting people in the stadiums. We gathered a lot of people, thousands of people at our concerts and at our gigs.

 And war interrupted.

And now we are counting deaths. We hope that it will end soon, and Ukraine will get it’s victory. We’re very… (emotional sigh), I don’t know how to say this…

We’re very grateful for your help...”

The evening proceeded with an auction presented by Adam Partridge, selling generous donated items. The funds raised, as with all other items sold at the auction, went towards the humanitarian cause.

The evening continued with a series of more heart-felt speeches including that of Tony Matharu, the founder of Integrity International Trust – the charitable organisation behind this fundraise. Inna Yarmolenko, the wife of Ukrainian footballer Andriy Yarmolenko also spoke to the audience, describing her devastating experience in Kiev when the war broke out.  

Performances by Jonathon Bremner, British soul singer and former lead singer of the band M People, Heather Small, and Patrick Allen, followed.

Generous contributions from other individuals and organisations, including IMPACT LENDING alongside the auction helped raise thousands of pounds, the final figure is still being calculated. The money will go towards providing food, water, shelter, medical and other assistance for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Organised by the talented Denise Horne of Opulent Luxury Events and proudly sponsored by IMPACT CAPITAL GROUP, Blue Orchid Hotel Group and Elite Construction, we couldn’t be more pleased to have been involved.

We can’t heal the world overnight, but we can make an impact.

If you’d like to help contribute to the cause, please donate using this link.