Ukraine charity raises £1.8m at star-studded London dinner
The first in-person celebration for Tikva UK post-pandemic and since the start of the war in Ukraine welcomes Duchess of York and Ronan Keating
A charity that supports homeless children in Ukraine welcomed 270 guests at London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower for its first gala dinner in four years.
Tikva UK welcomed staff and alumni alongside the Duchess of York, singer and presenter Ronan Keating, Spurs’ Eric Dier and Made in Chelsea’s Mark-Francis Vandelli.
Tikva UK CEO Karen Bodenstein said: “Whilst we were delighted to have so many friends of the charity together in person, the gala dinner was an important opportunity for us to share with our loyal donors the story of what has happened to our community since war broke out.”
In the first days of the war, Tikva facilitated the evacuation of 4,500 people out of Odessa. 1000 Tikva children and alumni families are now living under Tikva’s care in Romania, while 1,200 elderly people and 200 children and their families who were unable to leave, are still being cared for by Tikva in Odessa.
Tikva’s search & rescue team continues to bring in new children affected by extreme poverty, neglect and abuse.
Guests heard from alumni Vika Gashenko who described her nightmarish early childhood and how Tikva “saved” her to become “…more than a home. It’s a future.”
Dinner chair Arabella Spiro said: ‘Since the last dinner we’ve experienced a global pandemic and war has returned to Europe. Too many lives have been lost. But Tikva’s commitment to those who need help has remained unbreakable. This is only thanks to the unwavering support of our supporters and we are so grateful.”
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