Leading financial providers have signed up to back 'Rock for Ukraine', a financial services gig on 23 February aiming to raise awareness and funds for UK registered charity Refugee Support Europe.

The aim is to raise up to £40,000 to provide vital help to Ukrainian families who have been forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in Moldova due to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The gig will feature financial services band Consumer Duty made up of well-known industry personalties; Chris Budd, Ian Beestin, Jenny Smyth, Nigel Ross-Scott and Mark Polson.

The Consumer Duty band. Source: Rock for Ukraine

The band had its world debut at the PFS Festival of Financial Planning in November at the NEC, Birmingham.

Sponsors lined up to back the band include platform Nucleus which has signed up as headline event sponsor. Novia is confirmed as the band sponsor and Morningstar is the venue sponsor.

Other significant corporate donors include M&G Wealth Platform, Quilter, Transact, the lang cat and Threesixty.

Tom Baigrie, chair of Lifesearch, will aim to raise further funds on the night by auctioning items donated by generous financial service firms.

Ruth Sturkey, chair of the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and non-executive director of Paradigm Norton, will be Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Rock for Ukraine is a joint concert planned by three Financial Planners, David Crozier, Shannon Currie and Phil Billingham, who have all been working hard for many months to help refugees. They have driving supplies to the Ukrainian border to deliver aid personally to those in need. 

Alex Kovach, chief commercial officer at headline sponsor Nucleus, said: “The work that Phil, Shannon and David are doing to help Ukrainian refugees is truly inspiring and when the opportunity came our way, we jumped at the chance to get involved and support them with this brilliant fundraising event.”

Barry Neilson, chief commercial officer at Novia, said: “We’re fully behind the efforts to raise money to provide dignity and support services to the Ukrainian families who find themselves in a terrible situation. Sponsoring the band Consumer Duty for the Rock for Ukraine gig is our way of showing support and solidarity. It’s really heart-warming to see our industry pulling together like this and working together to make a difference.”

Helena Hill, marketing director at Morningstar Wealth, the venue sponsor, said: “Since March last year Refugee Support Europe has been in Moldova providing essential items to refugees at a ‘Dignity Market’. We are pleased we are able to help them continue this vital humanitarian assistance.”  

Shannon Currie said: “We are hugely grateful for the support of the sponsors. We’ve been blown away by the response we’ve received from the industry. Everyone’s willingness to help with raising funds and volunteering their time to make the event a huge success has been nothing short of overwhelming. This industry is chock full of kind and generous people who genuinely want to help those in need. We’re really looking forward to the night itself and raising even more money.”

Phil Billingham said: “We are in a privileged position of being able to help. By raising funds for Refugee Support Europe, we can do that. I’d love to raise £40,000, which will cover the cost of supporting 4,500 refugees in Moldova for a month. With the generous support of our sponsors and corporate donors, we’re well on our way to that amazing figure. Remember, even if you can’t go to the gig, you can still donate money on the event website.”

• Rock for Ukraine will take place on 23 February at Stationers Hall in London at 7.30pm. You can buy tickets and donate at https://rockukraine.co.uk/.