AN evening of dance and music brought communities together and helped to raise funds for an important international cause.
Tameside Rotary and the Ashton Ukrainian Centre teamed up to organise a community carol service – which was the idea of Rotary friend Oksana Wenger.
Funds from the event have supported the MoM Baby Incubator4Ukraine appeal to go towards a baby incubator to support premature babies affected by the war in Ukraine.
St John’s Brass Band from Mossley opened with some joyful music and, after an opening speech by the Chair of the Ukrainian Associations of Great Britain, Petro Rewko MBE, two competition winners from the Ukrainian community performed a dance display.
It was a hard act to follow but Tameside Community Voices, led by Joyce Hansell, admirably rose to the challenge as the choir sang some fantastic renditions.
The Ukrainian dancers took to the stage again in the second half of the concert, before two groups from the Ukraine community sang some emotive songs, and were then joined by members of Tameside Community Voices. A specially prepared song sheet in both Ukrainian and English allowed the audience to follow and participate.
The choirs then joined together to sing the final carol ‘Silent Night’.
Angela Robbins, a past Tameside Rotary President, paid tribute on stage to the contributors of the show and expressed why Rotary launched the appeal to help the Ukrainians.
“As Rotarians, it is our privilege to support many local communities but it’s more of a privilege and we feel much more driven to help, when a community, like the Ukrainians, are undergoing such turmoil because of the Russian invasion,” she said.
“At a time that we very much associate being with our families celebrating Christmas, many people attending and participating today will be missing their loved ones back in Ukraine.
“Our ‘Baby Incubator 4 Ukraine’ appeal is just one way we felt we could help. The generous donations received will go directly towards this project which feels so very appropriate at Christmas time.”
The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Betty Affleck, and her Consort Declan Fitzpatrick were in attendance.
In her speech, she said: “I can assure you that the thoughts of everyone at Tameside Council are with the families of Ukraine. In any war, it is always the youngest and oldest who suffer the most. For that reason, I wish you the best of luck with your ‘Baby Incubator 4 Ukraine’ appeal and wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.”
Tameside Rotary’s Santa also put in a special appearance to give out small gifts to the families and children attending the service.
More information about Tameside Rotary’s baby incubator appeal can be found at www.TamesideRotaryClub.com