A CONCERT at Farnham’s Spire Church in aid of the Ukraine Appeal was a far bigger success than the organisers could ever have imagined.

The Otis B Driftwood Showband played to an appreciative sell-out audience on Saturday, who were also treated to great entertainment from Vic Cracknell – who compiles a weekly column on the live music scene for the Herald – Peter Crutchfield, plus John Moran, who played a carpenter’s saw with a bow, and Lea Lyle, who sang show melodies.

The highlight of the evening proved to be accordonist Roman Volushchuk and his wife Luba from Ukraine, who performed several popular classics and closed the show with a moving Ukrainian folk song, for which they received a standing ovation.

The event was quickly arranged by Keith Burbidge. He said: “The idea to hold a concert just took off. Everyone I approached immediately agreed to help and their enthusiasm enabled it all to be arranged within three weeks.

“I thank them all for the hard work they put in and we managed to raise £2,722, which exceeded all our expectations.

“The Rotary Club of Farnham helped with refreshments and drinks.

“Proceeds will go to supplying medical aid and helping refugees reaching Poland and Moldova including those coming from Kharkiv via Warsaw to Farnham.”