The important message from Chic drummer Ralph Rolle ahead of Concert for Ukraine

Musicians from all over the world travelled to Birmingham for last night’s (29 March) huge Concert for Ukraine fundraiser at Resorts World Arena.

The star-studded show, which featured performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Nile Rodgers and Chic, raised more than £12.2 million for the humanitarian effort in the war-torn nation.

The two-hour Concert for Ukraine was organised to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and its response to the Russian invasion.

Before the show got underway, BirminghamWorld caught up with legendary Nile Rodgers and Chic drummer Ralph Rolle to discuss the impact of the fundraiser.

Ralph said: “These are the kinds of concerts that I believe should go on every single week, in my opinion.

“There’s people around the world, everywhere, that always need help, and right now this is a dire situation for the people of Ukraine, and we should all be doing things like this on a regular basis to be honest.

“Just when you think your life is bad you can easily just look around and see how it is for other people.”

More than £12 million raised for Ukraine

At the end of the concert, the hosts announced that ticket sales, advertising, sponsorship and donations had led to the grand total, but it was expected to continue rising.

Ed Sheeran took to the stage solo for a two-song set of his hits Perfect and Bad Habits.

Between the tracks, he told the audience: “Thank you so much for coming. It’s such an important cause and I am so honoured to be here.”

He was forced to pause briefly as he began his second song, admitting light-heartedly “I’ve got the wrong guitar”.

After making a quick change he resumed the show, to cheers from the crowds.

Pop superstar Cabello was backed by a string section for a performance of Coldplay’s hit Fix You before she was joined by Sheeran for a live debut of their new track Bam Bam.

She told the crowd: “We are praying tonight for the peace and safety of the people in the Ukraine.”

Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamala, whose real name is Susana Jamaladinova, took to the stage after fleeing her home country following the invasion.

The 38-year-old delivered a rendition of her song 1944, about the forced deportation in Crimea during the rule of Joseph Stalin.

She waved a Ukrainian flag throughout her performance and was dressed in red.

Can I still donate?

The concert is still available to watch on ITV hub, and there are a number of ways to donate to the DEC, which brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently; ITV has previously supported DEC appeals, including for the Afghanistan crisis in December 2021.

You can donate online at dec.org.uk , or via the phone on 0370 60 60 900.

To donate £10 text ‘CRISIS’ to 70150. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge, and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer’s permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to dec.org.uk.

Or you can donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to Post: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA.

Thirteen of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries and will receive funds from this appeal.

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