Sir Rod Stewart rents Berkshire home for Ukrainian family of seven who fled war | UK News
Sir Rod Stewart has revealed he has rented and furnished a home for a family of seven Ukrainian refugees after feeling heartbroken watching the war against Russia unfold on the news.
“Words couldn’t describe what we were watching,” Sir Rod told the Daily Mirror.
“The bombing of innocent children, the bombing of hospitals and playgrounds. Like everyone else, we were completely beside ourselves. I don’t wish that on anyone. This is evil, pure evil.”
Sir Rod is now providing support to Ukrainian couple Rostylsav and Olena and their five children aged between 17 and two, paying rent and bills for the Berkshire property for at least a year, according to the newspaper.
The family, who arrived in the UK without speaking any English, are “lovely… so polite” and “all very grateful”, Sir Rod said.
Rod Stewart performs at the Raise the Roof fundraiser for Prostate Cancer UK in June
The star said he wanted to use his “power” as a knight to help others.
“I usually keep all my charitable efforts nice and quiet and just do it. But I thought, ‘I am a knight, I have been given this knighthood because of the things I’ve achieved in my life and the charity work I’ve done over the years’.
“But that was the past; I want to be seen to be doing something now. I am a knight, I should be using my power to do something for people.
“I am sure that if there are people out there who see what I am doing, they will pick up some slack too.”
The singer also hired three trucks filled with supplies for refugees and had them driven to Ukraine, before using the same vehicles to transport 16 people back to safety in Berlin.
He was later put in contact with Rostyslav and his family, as well as others who he has since given jobs to.
In a statement Olena and Rostyslav said: “Many thanks to Sir Rod Stewart, Warren Cady, his parents and their family for their openness and genuine and big hearts. Thanks to their sponsorship and Warren’s hard work, our children are now safe and able to learn normally in school.”
Sir Rod kicks off a string of UK arena dates next month, playing in Nottingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Belfast, London, Birmingham and Manchester.
He told The Mirror that he plans to address the conflict in Ukraine as part of the tour, dedicating shows to the country and its people.