Pete Saxer, host of Unknown Sounds

“UKRAINIANS still need our help!”

This is the call of radio show host Pete Saxer who has organised a fundraising gig for Ukrainian musicians on the frontline, set to be held at Angel’s Hope and Anchor pub on November 5.

Mr Saxer accidentally struck up a relationship with a number of Ukrainian musicians through his show, Unknown Sounds. He first played music by krapka;KOMA and “be­cause I played music from that band, lots of Ukrainian bands got in touch”, he said.

“After the invasion, I got in touch with Ira Lobanok [from krapka;­KOMA], and she told me how her life changed – it really struck me.”

Mr Saxer immediately began raising money through his radio show for the cause.

He feels it’s important that events like this keep these issues in people’s minds: “This conflict is still happening. Especially with what’s happening now in the Middle East, I’m sure the war criminal Vladimir Putin is loving it, because there’s less focus on Ukraine now.”

All of the money raised goes to the charity Musicians Defend Ukraine. “This foundation helps only Ukrainian musicians that are fighting on the front lines. It’s amazing that these people don’t have what they need – armour, boots, the right safety equipment,” said Mr Saxer.

“We’ve played some musicians that were helped who were fighting on the front lines. A couple of them sent me songs they wrote on the front lines. Some of the shows we’ve done – I get goosebumps thinking about it. The stories they’ve sent us are just heart-wrenching,” he said.

Mr Saxer never anticipated that he would be organising fundraisers and live events, but he says it was the “natural next step”.

“It just comes down to this: these people are my friends. I want to help my friends. When I think about what these people are going through… Ira was producing music, going to gigs, and the next day she had to learn how to fight.

“She was a journalist trying to get the word out about what was happening. Her life was turned upside down. How many of us living our cushy lives in the UK could deal with that? They are heroes.”

The Hope and Anchor was the first place Mr Saxer thought of to host the fundraiser.

“I’m American, I grew up in New Jersey, I grew up on the Jersey shore, and when I was growing up in the 1980s, I heard about the Hope and Anchor and all the great bands that played there – it was a hub for the punk scene, and I always wanted to visit it.

“Thirty years later, I’m hosting an event in it.”

He added: “The tickets are only £10, and all the money goes to Musicians Defend Ukraine. The bands are giving their talent and time for free. All the expenses incurred is my donation, I’m paying for that.

“If you love good music, and you love people, and you want to help stop the horrendous war that’s happening in Ukraine, all you have to do is buy a £10 ticket, have a wonderful night, and show your support.”

• You can get tickets to the event at https://pxl.to/FirstLiveGigTickets-UnknownSounds