Cornish choristers support UNICEF's Ukraine appeal

Singing to help UNICEF protect the Children of Ukraine

We, the 34 boy and girl choristers and 12 adult singers of Truro Cathedral Choir, are raising our voices in solidarity with the people of Ukraine by learning some of the nation's beautiful choral music. We hope our singing will inspire you to help us support over a million Ukrainian children who are in danger right now.

All funds raised will go directly to UNICEF's emergency appeal: 'Protect children in Ukraine.'

Learning to sing in Ukrainian

We have been learning ‘Ave Maria’ by the Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov. 

Choristers speak out for Ukraine

‘The news makes me really worried - especially what’s happening to children just like me. I’ve never sung in Ukrainian before but I want to do my very best for them all.’ Kes, 11, chorister.

And give all they can to help children just like them!

‘Some of us have given our pocket money and we hope people will give lots, lots more to help us make a difference.’ Josh, 13, head chorister. 

‘There’s not much we can do as young people, but we can sing. I hope when people hear us they will want to help us reach our target.’ Imogen, 13, chorister. 

Support from Rob Love, CEO and Founder of Crowdfunder

'It's beautiful to see children helping children. The choristers were star Crowdfunders for UNICEF last Summer. We know folk will get right behind them and they'll soon be smashing their target!'

Cornish Ukrainian, Dasha Smith, addresses the choir during a break in recording.

Cornwall's special love of Ukraine

‘Cornwall has had a special connection with Ukraine since it welcomed many of the refugees who fled to the UK in 1947. Our whole choir community is behind this initiative and we hope people in Cornwall and further afield will help us do something, however small, to support Ukrainian children caught up in this present-day horror.’ Marc Gregory, bass.

Our track record, fundraising for UNICEF with Sing2G7

In 2021, with your help, Truro Cathedral Choristers raised over £8,000 for UNICEF's VaccinAid appeal. Please do all you can to help them respond to this new crisis in Ukraine.

The project is led by Director of Music, Christopher Gray and Esmé Page (charity campaigner and choir parent) who co-led the Sing2G7 fundraising campaign. 

With great thanks to:

Marta Jenkala, Assistant Professor of Ukrainian Studies at UCL for her guidance on pronunciation. 

Sound and film: Andrew Gemmill

'God has led us here tonight!' Refugees, Tanya Huhnina (in white) and her son Akim (right), recently arrived from Cherkasy, near Kyiv, watch the recording of Ave Maria. They had popped into the cathedral on a whim only to hear the choir singing in their mother tongue.