Musicians band together to raise funds for Ukrainian refugee families in Wiltshire

Two evenings of live music to raise money for Wiltshire for Ukraine are coming to Winchester Gate this month (Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September).

Presented by the Endorse it in Dorset Festival team, Pronghorn, and Salisbury Live the evening promises a lively night of entertainment in aid of a good cause.

Friday night will be headlined by Salisbury's very own Gypsy Jukebox, Gambling Hearts, The Acoustic Badger Band and Ribble.

Saturday night will see Pronghorn, Love is Enough, Guns of Navoreone, Pugwall, Inview, LUMP and Svetlana and Masha from Ukraine take to the stage.

Speaking to one of the organisers, Colin Holton said, "Ukraine a Go Go is a follow-up from the fundraiser gig one we did back in April.

"After talking to Wiltshire for Ukraine we decided to put something in action to raise some funds for the host families and the Ukrainian families themselves because they don't get a lot of support really.

"We decided to do two nights of live music at Winchester Gate. It's almost like an Endorset in Dorset event in Salisbury because Lamma from Pronghorn is involved and what I would consider as the cream of the local original music fraternity are playing as well."

Wiltshire for Ukraine is a local community group that aims to help Ukrainian citizens both in Ukraine and those who settled down in the county. The group also collects humanitarian aid, which is sent directly to Ukraine to help Ukrainians who decided to stay.

All money from the Ukraine a Go Go!! fundraiser will be distributed amongst Ukrainian citizens who are already struggling to find and furnish accommodation. The main aim is to help provide instant cash funds to those who need it most.

Svitlana Prysiazhna is one of the performers from Ukraine. She is a singer, band player and vocal teacher who popularizes Ukrainian folk songs in modern arrangements. She was born in Volyn but has been living with her family on the outskirts of Kyiv for 20 years.

Svitlana said, "I support my country with the help of a song because cultural heritage carries the spiritual strength of the Ukrainian people. Bow and thank the People of Britain for their support in all areas."

Maria Shevchenko, AKA Masha, is 16 years old and came to England from Kramatorsk, a small town in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.  

Masha added, "The people of my country are very creative, and each is special in its own way. I have been singing for 7 years now. I received a diploma of graduation from a music school and have a large number of awards. It is an integral part of my life, it is more than just a hobby.

"At the present time, through songs, I help people to believe in the power of good, the victory of my country, I give them the strength to fight for our freedom. We will save and save Ukraine with all our strength.  Wherever we are, Ukraine lives in the heart of every Ukrainian."

Colin added, "Since we started this there are loads of Ukrainian musicians that have moved to Wiltshire. So off the back of this, we are now organising Ukrainian music nights in venues around the city where they can perform traditional Ukrainian music and Ukrainian pop music and they can be a form of income for the families too.

"It's great for the community and all the money will go to Wiltshire for Ukraine. All the bands do it for free, all the organisers do it for nothing and all the money will go to Ukrainian families and host families. It will also to raise a bit of awareness and bring the issue back into the public eye."

Tickets for Ukraine a Go Go!! are £7 for Friday 7.30pm doors and £10 for Saturday in £10, 6pm doors (2 stages) or £14 for both nights. Purchase tickets here.

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