Concert for Ukraine; the power of collaboration

Last night I was honoured to attend Concert for Ukraine, a concert rapidly put on by the collaboration of hundreds of people and organisations who wanted to use their skills, platforms and purpose to fundraise for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

A humanitarian effort for a humanitarian crisis.

The logistics of organising such an event in such a short period of time are by no means a small feat but what was once again extremely clear was how effective the power of collaboration can be.

Advertising and sponsorship revenue as well as profits from ticket sales were donated along with no doubt many hours of pro bono support and even the government scrapped VAT on ticket costs .

￡13.4 million was raised on last count from the event. One event. This doesn’t include any other support the artists, individuals, organisations or members of the public donating at home have been contributing separate to the concert.

Alongside funds, awareness was raised for the humanitarian crisis. Millions of people viewed the show, including people in underground bunkers in Ukraine.

Some people were critical of the fundraiser questioning why people should be enjoying a concert when there are millions of people suffering in Ukraine and around the world.

But music brings people together and if last night was anything to go by, the music and entertainment industry did what they do best and used their skills to mobilise some of their greatest artists and assets to raise critical funds, awareness and show their solidarity.

The songs that were performed, from the poignancy of the Manic Street Preachers' 'If you tolerate this then your children will be next', to Gregory Porter's empowering 'Revival' seemed thoughtfully chosen alongside the incredibly moving '1944' from Jamala who has in the last month fled Ukraine herself.

There were small elements throughout that also made the concert more authentic in my opinion and stripped back from the usual glitz and glamour of a music show.

These included the superb presenters, who kept the flow and the tone of the evening on point, jumbling up of a few words from the autocues - thank you for demonstrating that presenting is hard. Few of us can even imagine the pressure of doing so in front of millions of people!

Equally Camilla Cabello asking for forgiveness ahead of her first ever stage performance of her new collaboration with Ed Sheeran, should she forget the lyrics. It's that word again collaboration.

The concert is just one demonstration of humanity and how people, communities and industries just want to help.

Community, collaboration and compassion must be our driving forces and now is not the time to lose momentum for the crisis or any other humanitarian need throughout the world.