Financial Planners and leading industry figures who organised the recent Rock for Ukraine charity gig have raised over £50,000 – £10,000 more than the £40,000 target.
The organisers staged a Rock for Ukraine concert in February at Stationer’s Hall in the City of London with 200 people attending.
Money has continued to flow in and was close to £50,000 with a recent donation from leading Financial Planner Marlene Outrim helping the appeal to top £50,000.
Financial Planners Phil Billingham and David Crozier, along with supporters from the lang cat and other companies, helped to organise the evening.
Many industry providers sponsored the event.
David Crozier, founder of Navigator Financial Planning in Northern Ireland, said: “Passing the £50,000 milestone is a great feeling, and many thanks to everybody who has contributed in any way.
“However, it’s just a round number, and although a nice, big number, it’s a drop in a very big ocean. A number of people have been asking about another event and how they can help.
“I don’t want to affect Phil’s blood pressure too much, but I would like to go again, possibly up north somewhere, to give others a chance to get involved. If anybody has any ideas for a suitable venue somewhere like Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, please get in touch with Phil or me. I just can’t help thinking that the response reflects what the Financial Planning profession is all about – we care about people, and do what we can to help.”
The gig in London featured top industry rock band ‘Consumer Duty’ with a popular set of cover tracks and Ukrainian refugees singing emotional folk songs. Consumer Duty is comprised of well-known industry personalties; Chris Budd, Ian Beestin, Jenny Smyth, Nigel Ross-Scott and Mark Polson.
There was also a successful charity auction led by Tom Baigrie as auctioneer. Ruth Sturkey was MC for the event.
The money raised will go to UK-registered charity Refugee Support Europe and will provide help to Ukrainian families who have been forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in Ukraine’s neighbour Moldova. Many refugees fled to Moldova after Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Sponsors who lined up to back the event included platform Nucleus, which signed up as headline event sponsor. Novia was the band sponsor and Morningstar was the venue sponsor. Other corporate donors included: M&G Wealth, Quilter, Transact, Threesixty, Yardstick, the lang cat, Abrdn.
• To help or make a donation go to www.rockukraine.co.uk
