Erica Niel outside of a building destroyed by a missile strike in Okhtyrka, Ukraine
Bede Wind is holding a concert next month to raise funds for an international humanitarian agency supporting people in war-torn Ukraine.
We will be performing at Trinity Church, Gosforth, to support the work of Concern Worldwide which is operating in nine areas of the country.
The charity’s programme is focused on emergency response in locations close to the front line or with international borders with Russia.
This includes cash assistance for households to meet their very basic needs, such as food, health services and medicine, water and sanitation provision and shelter support during winter.
Where cash is not possible in very remote areas, food and hygiene items are provided.
Concern Worldwide also delivers psychosocial support to children and adults focusing on dealing with stressful and traumatic events they have experienced.
The idea for the charity concert came as the result of a 45-year friendship between Colin Niel and Ernest Young who both worked for South Tyneside Music Service before retiring.
Colin is a trombonist at Bede Wind, which Ernest conducts, and his daughter Erica Niel works for Concern Worldwide in Ukraine.
Ernest Young and Colin Niel at The Glasshouse
Erica, Head of Programmes with the charity, said: “On behalf of Concern Worldwide I would like to thank Bede Wind for arranging this concert in support of the Ukraine response. The smallest amount of support can have the biggest impact on those families that continue to suffer from the worst consequences of the war.
“Two years after the full-scale invasion it is important that we do not forget about the people of Ukraine and with your help Concern will be able to continue to give a helping hand to those families who need it the most.”
Erica Niel, Head of Programmes for Concern Worldwide in Ukraine
More than 120,000 Ukrainian refugees came to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme following the invasion two years ago this weekend, including 2,360 who settled in the North-East.
Bede Wind, which is based at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, was formed by Ernest Young in 1989 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
Concert for Kyiv, which will feature a light programme of popular music, is on Friday March 8, starting at 7.15pm. Tickets costing £8 for adults (free for under-16s) can be purchased online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bede-wind/t-jzmnylj or on the door.
A feature on Erica Niel’s work in Ukraine by Good Housekeeping can be found here: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a46786343/voices-from-ukraine-erica-concern-worldwide/
Bede Wind 