Rod Stewart finds home for Ukrainian family of 7 who fled war, and pays their rent and bills

Ukraine suffered the greatest humanitarian crisis after Russia invaded the country in February this year. Millions of people were displaced, thousands killed and families were torn apart. However, there were many good Samaritans that came to the rescue of such families providing them with a safe abode. Sir Rod Stewart was one of these heroic people who came to the rescue of a displaced Ukrainian family, reports Daily Mail.

The 77-year-old singer and his wife Penny, 51, were heartbroken when they learned of the condition of Rostyslav Kurtiak and his family. He fled his homeland with his wife Olena and children Taras, 17, Kostya, 16, Roman, 13, Mariia, 10 and Dymtro after Russian strikes. They left home without any knowledge of English and no money. However, they were saved by Sir Rod who had teamed up with his family members to rescue refugees. He had already arranged for three trucks to take 16 refugees to safety in Berlin. 

The singer-songwriter found them a home in a leafy Berkshire Town. The family of seven is now living in a $500,000 three-story townhouse. Sir Rod has also pledged to pay their rent and bills for at least one year. Rostyslav told the outlet, "Sir Rod is a very great man. He saved my family from danger. Now my children are safe and are learning in school like normal children."

They moved into the house in the summer and are now settling into the four-bedroom house. The house was built in 2005 and has a top-floor master bedroom and an ensuite bathroom. It also has a large family kitchen with a fenced garden. The entire family is extremely grateful to the singer and to pay tribute they play his music in the house every day. 

Rostyslav said, "Of course I love his music. I always liked it but now I am his biggest fan. I play his music every day, every day! My favorite is Sailing. I love the version he does with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. My children love his songs too. We play his music on YouTube. He is a very great singer and a very great man." He appreciates Sir Rod's song "Rhythm of My Heart," which he claims was inspired by the Vietnam War but which he plans to dedicate to Ukrainians during his next tour. 

The 47-year-old also said that initially when they moved into the house they did not know about Sir Rod and when they found out it was a "shock." The singer also visited the family this month. "He had tea and ate sweets and we went in the garden," he said. 

Rostyslav said that he had previously worked as an electrician, a lawyer, a computer programmer, and a photographer. The father expressed his desire to work after settling here and honing his language abilities. He said of Sir Rod, "He has done so much for our country saving children every day. Winter is coming and it is going to be a very difficult time for my people."

Sir Rod said that he wanted to use any "power" he had to help those in need. He told the outlet, "I walked through the door and they all came running down the stairs, all beautifully dressed in Ukrainian national costume. It was so lovely that they all made that effort. They made me a cup of tea and we had loads of biscuits and chocolates, although the baby kept nicking all of mine. It really was wonderful."

"I think they had been briefed before they met me as to who I was - and they certainly know who I am now, since I left about 500 CDs for them," he added.

Neighbors were also shocked to learn that it was Sir Rod who helped the family move in. One said, "We knew they lived there but had no idea who was behind it. We didn't know who had set them up." Another woman commented, "It's such a nice thing to do. It's lovely to get your house paid for and you don't have to worry about your gas and electric bills, especially now when you've got five kids. It's a start for them."

Another neighbor described the family as "friendly" and said, "They've done well. Very well. They don't have a car so you see them walking around. The schools are a little way away."