FAMILIES are being invited to a special fundraising concert to support the humanitarian relief effort in Ukraine.

Chester Cathedral will host the charity event, which takes place next month.

Music, including a rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, will be performed by the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Joining them will be singers from the Chester Music Society Choir, Manchester Chamber Choir and St George's Singers, from Stockport.

Ukrainian a capella choir Svitoch will be also joining the performance, singing traditional songs and the Ukrainian national anthem.

The idea for the concert came from a local doctor and viola player James Warwick.

James said: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put millions of children and families in immediate danger, as homes, schools, water supplies, and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed.

"In the face of this devastation, I thought there must be something we can do, and the orchestra agreed to approach the cathedral with the idea of a charity concert."

The orchestra’s conductor, Stephen Threlfall, said: "It’s been very exciting to see the way local musicians have responded to the Ukraine crisis.  

"Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is particularly appropriate, because it includes the famous ‘Ode to Joy’, a poem about hope and human solidarity.

"We hope members of the public will come out to support this concert for such an important cause."

The dean of Chester, Rev. Tim Stratford, said: "Chester Cathedral is delighted to host this evening organised by talented local musicians, centred around the movement from darkness to light of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

"The destruction of homes and lives in Ukraine that we have witnessed in news media over recent months is a tragedy with immense pain in its wake."

The concert will be held in Chester Cathedral on Saturday, October 1, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £20 (adult), £10 (student), and £6 (child), with all profits donated to DEC Ukraine Appeal.

Tickets are available from Chester Cathedral box office: 01244 500 959 or online: chestercathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173628601