Liverpool pop sensation and 1993 Eurovision runner-up, Sonia, performed one of her hit songs with the National Lottery supported European Youth Music Refugee Choir (EYMRC), which is made up entirely of young refugees from all over the world.    

As her home city gears up to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, the 80’s and 90’s hit maker, who was runner-up at Eurovision in 1993 with the song ‘Better the Devil You Know’, joined forces with the European Youth Music Refugee Choir (EYMRC) at the National Lottery funded Everyman Theatre on the aptly named Hope Street in Liverpool.  

The War in Ukraine has forced millions from their homes and has devastated entire families. The European Youth Music Refugee Choir includes a number of Ukrainian refugees who have fled the conflict which has gripped their homeland. In a show of solidarity and promoting a message of hope, love and unity, Sonia performed her 1989 UK number one hit ‘You'll Never Stop Me Loving You’, with the choir.

With good causes funding from The National Lottery via Arts Council England and The National Lottery Community Fund, EYMRC brings together young refugees and asylum seekers living in England, enabling them to meet new people in a fun way whilst developing crucial skills needed to continue living in a new country. Supporting young refugees from countries including Ukraine, Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan, EYMRC has choirs all over England including Bristol, Coventry, Leicester and Solihull, with plans to expand across the country. 

Liverpool’s diverse musical heritage goes back hundreds of years thanks to the city’s development as one of the world’s most important ports. The National Lottery has also played an important role in developing and harnessing that talent, raising more than £330 million for over 3,600 music and cultural projects in Liverpool over the years. This includes funding of more than £3.6 million across 18 grants towards The Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres and the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust Limited who manage both venues. 

Sonia, who was brought up in Walton in Liverpool, backed the bid for her home city to take on hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, exactly three decades after her own storming run in the competition.

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Sonia, who became the first female UK artist to achieve five top 20 hit singles from one album, said: “I think music unites us all and that’s why I was delighted The National Lottery asked me to sing with the refugee choir and show solidarity with and pay tribute to Ukraine and the hundreds of refugees from all over the world they support. The National Lottery has been uniting people through music and other cultural projects for years, as well as supporting refugees and community groups throughout the UK such as this choir.

I am incredibly proud that Liverpool is hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine this year. My home city has been a sanctuary for refugees from all over the world for generations. This has provided us with the rich and diverse culture, heritage, and music scene we have today - it’s a massive part of who we are as Liverpudlians.”

Sarah Pickstone, the Director of Marketing and Fundraising for European Youth Music, said: “Music brings joy to our members and the choir really embrace each other’s differences. The plight of Ukraine is something that’s really struck a chord with our members, and we are so thankful to the National Lottery players who make it possible for us to bring refugees from all over the world together to experience the joy of song and build lasting friendships and networks of support.” 

National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary projects across the UK; see the difference it’s making near you at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk