Sir Richard Branson has unveiled an art installation in London’s Trafalgar Square as part of a new initiative to fund housing for displaced Ukrainian families.
Sir Richard was accompanied by Ukrainian boxer and world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk as The Kestrel, a replica of a mosaic created by Ukrainian artist Alla Horska in Mariupol in 1967, went on display.
The original mosaic was significantly damaged in Russia’s invasion of the port city in 2022.
Sir Richard became the first donor to the Usyk Foundation to fund housing for displaced Ukrainian families.
It is aiming to raise £2.5 million to build four apartment buildings to provide new homes for 64 families.
The two men also launched a new campaign – Ukraine: Defending Freedom – to help some of the 80,000 people in Ukraine needing a prosthetic limb as a result of the war.
As part of this, the nearby Florence Nightingale statue has been transformed, with her lamp replaced by a prosthetic leg painted in the Ukrainian colours.
Sir Richard, Virgin Group and Virgin Unite founder, said: “Ukraine’s fight is not just for its own future, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere.
“Since Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They’ve sacrificed their limbs, homes and lives.
“Putin’s war must end, and on terms acceptable to Ukraine. Until that day comes, we all have a role to play in rebuilding what has been destroyed.
“It’s easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness. But we cannot look away. Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf.
“Let’s keep standing together for Ukraine.”
Usyk said: ”Thank you, Great Britain, for your support of Ukraine. We are stronger together.
“We will rebuild our country, like a mosaic, piece by piece. Today we raise money to help 64 families have a home again.”
