Night for Ukraine fundraiser in London to feature Imelda May and Bob Geldof

Irish musicians Bob Geldof and Imelda May have been announced as part of the line-up for a fundraiser in London which will raise funds for those fleeing the Ukraine crisis.

According to the UN, more than two million civilians have fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion - with 1,800 fleeing to Ireland. On February 24, Russia sent military forces into Ukraine, with at 2,000 civilian casualties so far across the country. Those figures, which were calculated up to the end of Monday (February 28) have likely grown significantly as the conflict has escalated in more cities and towns across the nation. Ukraine says its forces have killed more than 11,000 Russian troops. Russia has confirmed about 500 losses.

'Night for Ukraine' musical and arts event will be held at the Roundhouse in north London tonight, with all much-needed money raised being donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). Tickets are onsale now.

Ukrainian-born pop pairing Bloom Twins, who helped curate the event, will perform alongside The Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde and Ukrainian baritone and principal artist for the Royal Opera House Yuriy Yurchuk.

Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof remarked that he was keen to add his experience to the fundraising event and help the Ukrainian people in any way possible.

"At least it stops me feeling so utterly impotent if only for an hour or two. You can do the same by simply showing up and enjoying yourself. See you there."

Imelda May announced her involvement by sharing the poster of the event on her Instagram page.

"Like everyone I have been watching the news in disbelief at what is happening over in the Ukraine. My heart goes out to all of the Ukrainian people.

"On Wednesday night, I will be among many others taking part in a special musical and arts event launched to raise money for Ukraine."

Bloom Twins explained that as Ukrainians it had been "humbling" to see the support their country was receiving from the rest of the world.

"We are really looking forward to being a part of this project, and not just as a one-off performance but as creative collaborators," they said. "This is an absolute honour to be representing our country and helping people caught up in this devastating conflict. There is so much every one of us can do to make a difference and even though it's called 'Night for Ukraine’, the impact of it will last much longer than a night. It will belong in our memories forever."

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The evening will also feature the resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Wayne McGregor, and a special performance from The London Community Gospel Choir.

A slew of other talented artists are slated to perform on the night, including Jack Garratt, Eckoes, Peter Xan, Tom Baxter, Joseph Toonga, Nadeem Din Gabisi, Joseph Lawrence and Archive.

Founder of Secret Cinema, Fabien Riggall, organised the project in collaboration with the Bloom Twins and Sunflower Relief, alongside Phoenix Court, Roundhouse, Sofar Sounds, Platoon and Lost.

Night for Ukraine is also encouraging other artists, organisers and venues to stage their own night across the nation to support DEC.

The DEC brings together 15 of the UK’s leading aid charities, including British Red Cross, Oxfam UK and Save the Children UK, who are working on the ground in Ukraine and at the country’s borders to help those fleeing the conflict.

The evening will also feature an address from DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed, who said they were "grateful" to the Night for Ukraine event for its help to fundraise during this "critical time".

He noted that the public reaction to the appeal had been "incredibly generous" so far with €144,000,000 raised in five days.

"Our members are working tirelessly with local partners to reach people in Ukraine swiftly as the brutal conflict turns lives upside down," Saeed told Press Association. "Families, including many children, have been forced to leave everything they know behind to find safety and desperately need food, water and shelter. The DEC exists to mobilise the British public’s generosity and goodwill at times of crisis overseas, and this is one of those moments."

Tickets for the Roundhouse event on 9 March are on sale now at nightforukraine.org.

❗️ On Wed 9 Mar 2022, we will be hosting a Night for Ukraine 🇺🇦 where funds raised will be donated to @decappeal to support humanitarian and emergency response work in Ukraine ❗️

Organised by the founder of @secretcinema

Line up to be announced... 👀 https://t.co/8i91RiE89n pic.twitter.com/XfoGTnqndn

— Roundhouse (@RoundhouseLDN) March 4, 2022