Volunteers recognised at star-studded fundraiser for Ukraine

The volunteering efforts of two employees from legal and professional services group Gateley were recognised by the Embassy of Ukraine with an invitation to a star-studded fundraiser in London last week.

Partner and head of the dispute resolution team, Richard Healey, and associate, Olena Golovtchouk, attended Brave Ukraine at the Tate Modern on 5 May alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who addressed guests via Zoom.

The invitation to the event, which raised over £1m for charity, was given as thanks for two months of volunteering efforts led by Olena. These included organising the delivery of medical supplies to the Ukrainian border in ambulances donated by the Royal Air Squadron and arranging more than 400 host families for refugee women and children.

“I am honoured to have been recognised by the Embassy of Ukraine and to have attended such a moving event,” Olena said. “Thank you to everyone who has helped me provide ongoing support to Ukraine and its people, and thanks to Gateley for giving me the time and resource to volunteer for such an important cause.”

In addition to an auction of seven unique lots – including President Zelensky’s jacket - led by London’s only Ukrainian auctioneer, Natalia Voinova of Christie’s, Brave Ukraine hosted various exhibitions paying tribute to the Ukrainian people. These included the diary of a 15-year-old girl detailing her experiences in a bunker in Mariupol, and a memorial of 200 sunflowers dedicated to children killed during the conflict.

Richard added: “The evening was a touching tribute to both the suffering and bravery of the people in Ukraine and I was pleased to attend with Olena.

“At Gateley, we will continue to support those affected by the conflict any way we can. Our sympathies and support rest with the brave people of Ukraine.”