Chatteris: Violinist Oksana helps raise £3,000 for Ukraine

Oksana Belova-Orlovska performed at the event held by the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Chatteris on January 28.

More than 200 people attended and helped raise funds for medical supplies for Ukraine. 

The Rev Canon Wendy Thomson, church vicar, welcomed people from the local community to the event, in partnership with the town’s Ukrainian Resettlement Hub which helps those displaced from their homes due to the invasion. 

Katherine Childs was at the event and felt “the feeling of warmth, compassion, love and generosity of spirit in the church that evening was almost tangible.  

“It increased as the evening unfolded.”    

Oksana fled Ukraine and had to leave her violin behind, but after an interview on local radio, she was offered a replacement.

The evening’s entertainment opened with Alex Carr, who had been juggling his job as a NHS clinician and family life to spend time in the church practising on the piano for the concert.  

Performances took place at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Chatteris to help raise money for Ukraine. (Image: IT's Photography!)

Matthew Allen, a 13-year-old student accompanied by his mother, Helen, played John Williams’ theme tune from Schindler’s List on the violin. 

James Allen, Matthew’s twin brother, also performed on the cello. 

A pop-up choir made up of members from the Ely Choral Society, accompanied on the piano by Ross Williams, sang pieces from the musical Les Misérables, highlighting a story of people’s struggle for freedom.  

Meanwhile, Charles Schneider, Margo Banks and others from the choir led a rousing performance of familiar tunes in a medley of songs. 

But it was Oksana’s performance of Ukrainian Melody by composer Myroslav Skoryk, accompanied on the organ by William Craven, that perhaps best encapsulated the plight of the Ukrainian people. 

Images were projected onto to the screen during her performance.

"It was a moving performance," said Rev Canon Thomson.

“As the last note lingered in the air, you could hear a pin drop before the audience gave a thunderous applause.”

Performances took place at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Chatteris to help raise money for Ukraine. (Image: IT's Photography!)

In the grand finalé, the pop-up choir returned to sing the final rousing chorus of Les Misérables as spectators waved Ukrainian flags and joined in to sing. 

As well as musical performances, Claire Foster from the Chatteris Resettlement Hub spoke about how it has helped more than 30 families to settle in the town and beyond. 

Many people from the local community offered their time, flags, banners and refreshments while others agreed to sponsor the event. 

Rev Canon Thomson added: “It was an incredible evening with everyone offering to share and coming along to support one another; Chatteris at its best!”