ITV planning two-hour charity concert for Ukraine humanitarian appeal
"Top names" are set to be announced in the coming days
By Joe Goggins
ITV and STV will broadcast a live two-hour concert to raise money to help relieve the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as Russia’s invasion continues.
Concert for Ukraine will air on the evening of Tuesday March 29, with all funds raised to go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The concert will look to strike a positive note, spreading a message of hope amid a crisis that has displaced at least 1.5 million people from their homes.
The news was announced by Josie Gibson and Philip Schofield on today’s (March 16) edition of ‘This Morning’. No line-up has yet been announced for the show, but “top names” are due to be revealed in the coming days. In a statement, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe, said: “Music is a very powerful tool when it comes to showing support and solidarity, and at ITV we are proud and privileged to be working with Livewire Pictures, Global, M&S and the DEC on such an important and necessary fundraising event.”
STV’s Managing Director of Broadcast, Bobby Hain, added: “We’ve seen time and time again that the generosity of STV viewers knows no bounds. As the crisis in Ukraine continues to intensify at an alarming rate, this event will be an opportunity for our audiences to come together through the power of music, show our whole-hearted support for Ukraine, and help make a difference to those affected through the work of DEC charities.”
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said that the sitaution is becoming “increasingly precarious”, but expressed hope that the concert will help their efforts to “rebuild lives”. It is heart-breaking to see the deepening crisis unfolding in Ukraine as more refugees cross the borders each day with nothing more than what they can carry,” said Saeed. “We are grateful to ITV, Livewire and Global Media for their support to this appeal, our special thanks to ITV who have supported DEC with emergency appeals over many decades.”
Since the invasion began on February 24, a slew of artists have cancelled scheduled performances in Russia, including Green Day, Iggy Pop, Yungblud, Louis Tomlinson, Franz Ferdinand, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and The Killers. Meanwhile, Arcade Fire aired new songs at a last-minute benefit concert for Ukraine in New Orleans on Monday night (March 14).