Coming from Ukraine, where I was born and bred, I could not sit still when the war started. After joining a few local short-lived groups that supported Ukraine, I found the Friends of Oleksandriya, believing that a small area like B&NES can provide a more tangible help to a small area in Ukraine and make a real difference for its residence. That's what I've been doing for the last 2 years.

Ukraine Chaikoychi fund group, Manager

Working with the Ukraine Freedom Company

Working with Charitable organization - PROTECT KHMELNYTSKYI"

Based in Herefordshire and near Lviv Ukraine

Working with Rotary and a member of Hereford Elgar Rotary

Jeremy Fish serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ardent Hire Solutions, a prominent equipment rental provider in the construction industry. With 11 years of experience at Aggreko, a temporary power provider, he played a key role in establishing and expanding Aggreko's former business in Russia and East Europe. Jeremy is also the founder of the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance, a coalition of 65 companies in the rental sector dedicated to supporting humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine.

Over the past two years, the Alliance has contributed donations totalling £4.5 million, including 45,000 wrapped gifts for Ukrainian children distributed along the front line. Jeremy has collaborated closely with Rotary International, his preferred partner in these efforts. The Alliance's impactful work earned recognition on Christmas Day 2023 when the Prime Minister awarded Jeremy the UK's 2,226th Point of Light Award in acknowledgment of the Alliance's outstanding humanitarian contributions.

I view the Friends of Oleksandriya as an organisation that see creativity as a powerful force against tyranny. I joined the association to get involved with fundraising events launched in support of Ukraine’s freedom thus, became a long-standing member of their community. I perform to offer a sense of nostalgia to the refugees, and to make the British audience feel the emotions Ukrainians continue to face since the beginning of the invasion. Singing is an opportunity to unite everyone in a space. During a performance, I aim to embody individuals who are suffering in hopes that their emotions travel into the minds of the audience.

Early in year 2023, I decided to volunteer in working with Friends of Oleksandriya as a photographer because it felt important. When I looked around, it seemed that the charity needed a bit more photos, bit more recognition and I needed to spread the word of what it is actually doing, trying to make a change. What this association has comparing to others is the communities and the amazing idea of connecting Bath with Oleksandriya. I see this connection being strong.

With my music, I want to draw attention to what is happening in Ukraine right now and how important it is to appreciate every moment of life. We never know what the future holds for us. Especially today.

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I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helps us. Your support helps to spread the wings and create art that can change this world for the better. After all, art is a language that we understand without words.

"What an occasion! All seats taken even half an hour before the concert was due to start. Congratulations on such excellent organisation. Everything went very smoothly. It was lovely to work with Mariia and Nicole. Many people said how much they really enjoyed the music. Even the tourists were quiet. 

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The whole concert was a moving experience and I am very grateful for the invitation to play Mariia's pieces.  She's a brilliant pianist and composer and a delight to work with. Nicole sang brilliantly with real passion and the small choir was splendid."

I am extremely lucky that the city of Bath supports my city of Oleksandriya. I think that's incredible. Now my dreams are here with me. I really want to open at least a small café in Bath, where I could introduce the residents of Bath to the cuisine of Oleksandriya and Ukraine as a whole. I am also working on some ideas for combining English and Ukrainian cuisine. 

Bohdan was born in Oleksandriya and at the age of 10, started practicing parkour. In 2021, he won gold in speed at the World Cup in Sofia. In 2022 at the World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, Bohdan won gold, followed by silver in both World Cups in France and Sophia in 2023.

When Bohdan learnt that B&NES signed a Friendship Agreement with Oleksandriya, he offered to bring parkour to Bath. We are now organizing his visit to Bath in 2024, during which Bohdan will run a number of fundraising events to raise funds for the school bus for Oleksandriya.