Final rehearsals are underway for a Ukraine charity fund-raising concert coming up soon at an Exmouth church.

The Benefit Concert for Ukraine – featuring jazz and blues collective the Paul Strange Organisation (PSO) plus special guests Blue Honey – is at Christ Church on North Street on Friday February 23, 7pm for 7.30pm.

Tea, coffee and light refreshments are free of charge. Admission is also free, with a suggested donation of £10 for UNICEF and Samaritans’ Purse International.

The fundraiser – on the eve of the conflict’s second anniversary – is jointly led by Christ Church and Exmouth-based PSO. All the musicians are giving their services for free.

The charity concert was inspired by a Ukrainian mother, who’s been living with a host family in Exmouth during the conflict. A member of the Christ Church congregation, she’s concerned that due to issues in the Middle East, the Ukraine war may have been forgotten.

“Some of her family remain in Ukraine – her husband has been on the front line – so she’s well informed about the current situation,” says Richard Glazebrook, who helps to lead the music at Christ Church.

“She wants people to remember that humanitarian aid is still desperately needed to provide food, clothing, medicines and shelter for Ukrainian families.

“So please come to the fundraiser and bring your wallet to support this worthy cause!”

“Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help,” says Bishop Josep Rossello, minister at Christ Church. “We are pleased to offer our church for this benefit concert.”

“We’re happy to support this fundraiser,” says PSO keyboardist Paul Strange. “It’s a chance for the Exmouth community to help innocent civilians caught up in this terrible conflict.”

PSO features Paul Strange (Hammond/piano), Marcus Burton (guitar), Tim Pilling (bass) and Richard Glazebrook (drums). As well as Hammond groove classics – such as Booker T’s “Green Onions” – they’ll be playing the Starsky and Hutch theme, the Santana ballad “Samba Pa Ti” and some originals.

Special guests Blue Honey – featuring vocalist Joan Jules – are from East Devon. The trio are likely to perform songs such as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Good Morning Heartache”.