Brian Bennett
To mark Ukraine Independence Day, Eynsford Concert Band were proud to perform alongside the Canterbury for Ukraine Charity Ladies choir at a camp in the East of England to over 1,400 Ukrainian troops being trained under operation INTERFLEX.
This was an incredibly moving event, knowing that many of those present will soon be deployed to the front line to fight for their country’s independence.
The choir and band performed magnificently and the concert prompted genuine emotions from all those attending, including rapturous applause, a standing ovation and wonderful personal feedback. Many recorded the performance on their phones and some could not hold back tears during soulful songs sung in their native language. Some soldiers stood up and shone their phone torches, creating an atmosphere of unity and support.
The concert also attracted the attention of numerous journalists and representatives from various British media outlets, including BBC News, Sky News and ITV News, whilst Ukrainian media (Телеканал “Прямий”, 5 канал) also showed keen interest and support for those defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and showing continued solidarity with Ukraine.
Operation Interflex is an international programme led by the UK, launched in July 2022 to train Ukrainian military personnel. It includes 13 partner nations, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Albania, Estonia, Kosovo, Lithuania, Romania, and Latvia. The programme covers basic training, leadership courses, and specialised training tailored to the needs of Ukrainian troops. As of June 2025, over 56,000 Ukrainian military personnel have trained under Operation Interflex.
Canterbury for Ukraine Charity — a registered charity (No. 1204746) supporting displaced Ukrainians and fostering cultural understanding since 2022. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who made this day possible and would like to express our deep respect for our defenders. They are true heroes to us, and we are proud to have had the opportunity to show our support.
Thank you to all our supporters! 
