While the world watches the war unfold in Ukraine, one Polish club in Southwest London has captured the interest of the world’s media and No 10 Downing Street’s twitter feed. The White Eagle Club in Balham, together with a huge team of volunteers, has been working day and night to organise and transport over 1000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Poland and Ukraine.

Inspired by their dedication and determination, triple Olivier nominee Issy van Randwyck and husband, award-wining director Edward Hall, have organised a fund-raising concert and online silent auction, entitled UKRAINE UNPLUGGED, to raise much needed funds for The White Eagle Club’s emergency aid campaign and Choose Love, a charity providing humanitarian aid to, and advocacy for, refugees around the world.

The silent auction, launched today, will run until the 17th April 2022 and features over 25 lots including supper cooked for you and 5 friends in your home by actor and MasterChef Champion John Partridge, an original print, inspired by Ukraine, by ground-breaking British digital-printmaker Phil Shaw, a beautiful sculpture by artist and Tottering-by-Gently creator Annie Tempest, a James Ogilvy photograph, Charlotte Johnstone portrait commission, VIP Tickets to the Secret Garden Party, pianist & vocalist Ben Nokes will perform at your party, a round of golf for four at the fabulous Gleneagles, 3 night stay in Devon, Tea for Two at the Anya Hindmarch Café and many more.

The concert, which sold out in 3 days, takes place in The White Eagle Club on Sunday 10th April to an audience of 300. A plethora of well-known performers from stage and screen have agreed to give their time for free including Johnny Flynn, Ray Mears, Toby Jones, Olivier Award winners John Dalgleish, George Maguire, Janie Dee and double BAFTA nominated Anne Reid, Jemma Redgrave, Rebecca Front, Patricia Hodge, Elio Pace, Tim McInnerney and Issy herself, who will join the cast of Song of Singapore on stage. The show will be presented by Anneka Rice and Penny Smith and directed by Edward Hall.

Issy van Randwyck said “It has been quite extraordinary to see what can be achieved when people unite around a common cause regardless of age, gender, race, or religion. The generosity of individuals and companies have enabled us to organise a fantastic evening of fun and entertainment and an online auction, which we hope will raise thousands of pounds to help Ukrainians in Ukraine and refugees.”

Magda Harvey, the club’s director said “Issy has an amazing energy and generosity of spirit and has worked her wonderful black book of contacts to support the charity Choose Love and ongoing aid work at The White Eagle Club. Certain supplies are still desperately needed and UKRAINE UNPLUGGED will play an invaluable role in helping us spread that work further.”

UKRAINE UNPLUGGED is supported by Savills, who are covering the cost of transporting the grand piano and Have Sound, who are donating all the technical equipment for the concert. A special thanks go to the staff & students of the BA Theatre Design course, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL, who are designing the set for the concert.