Jamaican musician joins 100 artistes in benefit concert for Ukraine

Musician and radio station owner Patrick Lafayette will be one of over 100 blind artistes performing today at a global benefit concert dubbed 'We are with you', to support, and raise funds for blind Ukrainian refugees.

“The over 100 blind performing artistes have donated their immense talent because they know that music has power. If you appreciate great music in a range of styles, and even a little poetry, this is your chance to listen to some of the best the blind community has to offer, while making a monetary donation to support blind Ukrainians,” said organisers, Mushroom FM on their website.

According to Mushroom FM, every cent raised will reach organisations assisting blind Ukrainians, thanks to their partnership with the World Blind Union's Unity Fund, which is the global organisation representing the estimated 253 million persons who are blind or partially sighted. They are working actively with organisations in the area which are providing support to Ukraine.

Mushroom FM highlighted the fact that one of the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war is that it has caused life-changing impairments, including blindness. Another consequence, it said, is that war leaves those who are already blind even more vulnerable.

“I would like to offer my heartfelt blessings to the people of Ukraine in general, and the blind and visually impaired people of Ukraine in particular,” said Lafayette. “There is one song specifically that I will be doing. I wrote and produced it along with seven other blind individuals. It is called Rising and I do hope that all will be blessed and inspired by this song.”

Rising appears on Lafayette’s 2019 album which pulled on the talents of blind persons from the United States, Britain, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden.

The estimated nine-hour long event kicks off at 1 p.m. in Jamaica. So far, there are 42 contributions from unique artistes, internationally located but ready to play a single song each, with roughly 100 performances expected.

In addition to performing for the concert, Lafayette indicated that his online radio station will also be carrying excerpts from the event on Saturday. More than 15 online radio stations have committed to carrying the concert which has already netted US$20,000 even before going on air. The official hashtag for the event is #BlindWithU and donations towards the cause can be made through: http://nfb.org/BlindWithU.