V4UUK 2026

This year, we raised funds through a bake sale, doing something a little different from our usual annual fundraising concert. With the help of the London Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Holborn), we raised £1615.71, which will go towards purchasing our own V4UUK van, enabling us to deliver support to Ukraine independently.

A few weeks ago, I returned from another trip to Ukraine, delivering support where it was needed. It has taken me some time to gather my thoughts and reflect on what is actually happening in a country torn apart by war. Constant drone and rocket attacks have become part of the everyday landscape and reality. Yet, despite all the devastation, children and young people, together with their teachers and mentors, continue to make music, giving their souls a chance to heal from this madness. As always, we were simply blown away by their courage, dedication and love for this extraordinary art.

For the first time since 2023, unfortunately, we were unable to reach the Donetsk region. Russian forces are targeting moving vehicles with drones, making travel there extremely dangerous. Going there would carry a very real risk of not making it back. Some of the children we have supported over the years have been evacuated to the nearby Kharkiv region, so we travelled there to deliver support instead.

We were warmly welcomed and shown around. The children organised a concert for us, which left us in awe. Everyone was involved, from the youngest to the oldest. It once again demonstrated the importance of making music during wartime.

We also met Dmytro, a boy from Sviatohirs'k whom we first met in early 2023, when we presented him with a violin. It was amazing to see him blossom as a musician and to learn that he is now enrolled at a conservatoire in Kharkiv. This time, we brought him a bow to help him progress even further on his musical journey.

Anastasia gave a piano masterclass followed by a Q&A session. The children took an active part and were extremely curious about music education in England.

Alongside musical instruments, we also brought volleyballs for the children to play sports. The young people were incredibly excited and went out to play as soon as they could. While we were being shown around, a drone strike occurred nearby. No one paid much attention; the children simply started playing against a background of thick smoke rising from the impact. It was surreal.

During this visit, we also supported M. V. Poltava Professional College of Arts, delivering additional musical instruments to support young musicians.

We also visited the Director of the Poltava Social Rehabilitation Centre for Children, which accommodates orphans, children with special needs and displaced children. On behalf of V4UUK, we donated several synthesizers to support music therapy sessions led by Father Andryi of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Through his tireless work, he brings hope to some of the most vulnerable children.

We also discussed future cooperation and how, together, we can continue supporting orphaned children and helping them build a brighter future.

We will continue our mission of raising funds and delivering support to various music schools, orphanages and youth centres across Ukraine that have suffered as a result of Russian aggression.

We are currently working to establish ourselves as an official charity. If you would like to support our cause, please get in touch. You can contact us through our Contact page.

Thank you for your continuous support.