A second 'Help for Ukraine' benefit concert reached 1.1 million viewers on Saturday evening via Yle TV1 and Yle Areena. The 90-minute show was watched by an average of 590,000 people.
The number of viewers and total donations were down significantly from a similar broadcast last March, just three weeks after Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In total, the two events featuring Finnish pop stars have gathered more than eight million euros in donations to Ukraine. Saturday’s broadcast raised just over two million euros while the 2022 edition brought in more than six million.
By Sunday afternoon, this year’s concert video had attracted some 200,000 viewers on Yle Areena. The recording can be watched from anywhere in the world within the next year.
This year’s donations will be directed to children, young people and families affected by the Russian aggression. It will be funnelled through the Finnish branches of the international aid groups World Vision, Save the Children and Plan.
This year’s line-up featured Sanni, KUUMAA, Jesse Markin, Erin, Pepe Willberg, Laura Voutilainen, Maustetytöt, Ismo Alanko, Noora Louhimo and Jannika B as well as her husband, Toni Wirtanen of Apulanta, and Pate Mustajärvi of Popeda. It was hosted by Yle journalists Emma Karasjoki and Mikko Kekäläinen.
The charity drive continues until the end of April. Donations can be made via MobilePay to 93026 or via a secure website.
