Having grown up in Ukraine and still having most of my family and friends living there made the current war an incredibly personal crisis - one which has inspired me, as it has so many people from all around the world, to do what I can to help the defender's cause. 

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My volunteer work started in 2014 with the Maidan uprising in the capital of Ukraine in support of the pro European cause. 

 

 Since the full scale invasion of 2022 we have managed to raise over £50,000 in donations and have performed in over 80 concerts and fundraisers for UKRAINE! Our concerts have also been broadcasted on RadioJazzFM and live streamed worldwide via our YouTube channel.

 

LINK to Live  Concert for Ukraine at Jazz in the Round, London:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH https://youtu.be/-M9xJ9wnMUg

 

We donated the funds to Tetyana Myalkovska Arts Centre in Lutck in Volyn Oblast (province in Ukraine) in support of art therapy project for refugees; bought 3 vehicles for the Ukrainian Army and sent humanitarian aid and protective equipment to soldiers of the Territorial Defence Regiments.

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In May 2025, I joined the Cultural Forces of Ukraine, a volunteer initiative uniting civilian and military artists who use music to uplift morale and preserve Ukrainian cultural identity. As a civilian participant, I performed in hospitals and rehabilitation centres across the Kyiv region, offering comfort to those affected by the war.

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I also returned to Ukraine during the Christmas and Easter periods to provide music therapy to displaced children from the Kherson region through the charity Tepli DoLoni, with plans to continue this work regularly.

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Our massive thank you goes to everyone who contributed, especially Cockpit Theatre London, Harp Column USA, Barnet Arts Club, Crowmarsh Jazz, Hales Gallery London, The Adimno Edinburgh, POSK London, Ognisko London, Jazz in the Round, SOAS University, Gina Southgate Art, B:JazzFestival, Wolverhampton Ukrainian Club and many artist and musicians who gave their time and talents to support the cause.

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I believe this work highlights the vital role of music in healing, resilience, and hope.

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Alina Bzhezhinska