Work with the Homes for Ukraine in Rye has brought contact with a Ukrainian choir, Volya Voices, started by women in and around Bexhill, who wanted to do something to help their country. The choir is found from daughters, sisters, nieces, mothers, grandmothers and military wives, all from Ukraine.
It all started just before Christmas in Bexhill in 2022, when some of the refugee women from Ukraine were asked to sing a couple of carols as a performance. It went well and further performances were arranged to raise money for medical support for those left behind in Ukraine.
The singing helped raise morale amongst those separated from loved ones. Two women of the choir have lost their precious husbands and their children now have no fathers.
On Sunday 14 December, it was arranged that the choir came to sing in St Mary’s Rye. This was also the annual concert of the Music Well’s Youth Choir and the two events were combined with the latter singing first and then the Ukrainians second. At the end of the first part both choirs sang Silent Night together.
There was a display of Ukrainian cakes and pastries for everyone during the interval. This was a very special event with almost £500 raised for a worthy medical cause.
Image Credits: Anthony Kimber .