A UKRAINIAN choir which dazzled a Petersfield audience is joining forces with two others for a major fundraising concert.

Olena Ivanchuk and her countrywomen did their nation proud early this year as funds from their Churcher’s College performance and earlier concerts paid for a front-line ambulance.

Now the women’s choir she launched in Petersfield is coming together with its counterparts in Havant and Portsmouth for a concert at the New Theatre Royal.

Funds from the September 22 event will help Ukrainian support charity Reduit buy medical equipment and supplies for soldiers and civilians.

Mrs Ivanchuk is a professional singer, music teacher and producer who settled in Petersfield after leaving Ukraine. The Two Colours choir for Ukrainian women she founded in 2022 has gone from strength to strength, with concerts ranging from an intimate gig in Langrish church to a show in Highclere Castle watched by half a million on Youtube.

Sheena Hulme, operations director at NTR, worked with Olena to set up a second choir in Portsmouth before a third ensemble in Havant was added. 

The choristers, aged from 20 to 70, are a tight group who share their love of singing three times a week. The Portsmouth concert will be the first time the three choirs have performed together.

Olena said: “We are very excited to have the opportunity to perform on the stage at New Theatre Royal and raise money to send back home to Ukraine.

“Audiences can expect to enjoy a very uplifting and joyful evening with some poignant moments. There will be a mix of music including Ukrainian music, military songs, modern and English songs.”

The music will be accompanied by background images of Ukraine, showing the beauty of the country, translations and the reality of the situation on the ground.

Tickets are available through www.newtheatreroyal.com/performances/two-colours