Ukrainian-born Olga Kravchenko and her partner Kriss Baird have teamed up with Southsea’s Moonshine Club, along with a number of DJs, musicians and event organizers, to organize the Rave 4 Ukraine event April 10.
The event, which will run from 9:00 a.m. Sunday to 3:00 a.m. Monday morning at Moonshine and the Prohibition Club, will be divided into three ‘mini events’ and will include morning yoga, family activities such as a ‘baby rave‘ l afternoon and clubbing in the evening.
All proceeds will go to the efforts of the Portsmouth-based Parenting Network to provide aid at Ukrainian borders, as well as the Odessa-based humanitarian and medical aid organization YOUKraine Foundation.
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For Olga, 27, and Kriss, 39, the cause was particularly close to their hearts.
Olga’s mother, Viktoriia, and grandmother Raisa were in their hometown of kyiv when Russian forces invaded. They spent days underground in the city before fleeing to Budapest. Finally, on March 27, their UK visas were approved.
Olga, founder of the virtual reality company, said The news: ‘I am very grateful that I was able to get my mother and grandmother out of Ukraine. It was not a very easy trip from kyiv to Budapest, around 72 hours. There were huge queues at the border.
“We had to sleep in the car after a 14 hour drive to a gas station because there is literally nowhere to sleep.”
Kriss, who runs a blockchain business but also DJs outside of work, said: “Olga’s family is my family and they are in times of need. This is the most important thing that happened almost in our life.
“The genesis of Rave 4 Ukraine was how to get people to connect with it and contribute to these charitable activities.”
DJs and artists performing at the event include Shadow Child, Ian Void and Soul Divide. Kriss will also DJ as Purple People.
He added: “We want to make this an accessible and inclusive mega event for everyone.
“We were really overwhelmed by everyone’s support.
“We have incredible training. I’m sure we’ll absolutely smash it.
Local businesses interested in donating prizes for the auction or raffle can contact [email protected]
Wholesome Start Voucher recipients can get their Portsmouth Parenting Network subsidized Baby Rave tickets, just contact the email above.