Sir Rod Stewart, 77, has been hailed a “hero” by many after he agreed to help a Ukrainian family flee war-torn Ukraine, agreeing to pay their rent and utility bills for the next 12 months as well as furnishing the Berkshire property.
The father, Rostyslav Kurtiak, 49, has now spoken out about the kind deed, admitting he owes his life to the rocker as his children are “safe” and can now “learn like normal children”.
Rostyslav’s family of seven are now living in a £500,000 three-storey townhouse and the singer has pledged to pay their rent and bills for at least a year.
Speaking to the MailOnline Rostyslav said: “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.”
In tribute to the singer, Rostyslav admitted that he plays Rod Stewart’s music nearly every day in the house, calling the rocker “a very great singer and a very great man”.
The Maggie May singer could be seen pictured with the family, who fled war-torn Ukraine and arrived in the UK.
Speaking about his charitable efforts, Rod explained: “I usually keep all my charitable efforts nice and quiet and just do it. But I thought, ‘I am a knight, I have been given this knighthood because of the things I’ve achieved in my life and the charity work I’ve done over the years.’
He further said: “But that was the past; I want to be seen to be doing something now.
“I am a knight; I should be using my power to do something for people. I am sure that if there are people out there who see what I am doing, they will pick up some slack too.”