Aslan star Billy McGuinness said he told his sons to not take things for granted after meeting young Ukrainians who had fled the war-torn country for Ireland.
The guitarist, 61, who along with his band mates has recorded a new charity version of This Is with Ukrainian refugees, said it was heartbreaking to hear their stories.
Speaking ahead of the documentary on Wednesday about the making of the single, Billy said one story involved Anastasiia, 21 and her 16-year-old brother Valerie.
Read more: Dublin’s north inner city home to more Ukrainians than any other part of Ireland
Billy said: “The one that hit me most was listening to a very young brother and sister. I have two boys, Jake is 22 and Liam is 19.
“Had they kicked off about the Wi-Fi not working I would have told them how lucky they are.
“I sat them down and told them that I had been talking to two kids that are in Ireland now and how their parents were in Ukraine.
“The mother and father had to leave them at the border. I couldn’t imagine that happening to my boys.”
Billy said the band felt they had to do something to help people escaping war.
He added: “We got in touch with the Irish Red Cross and said we had this idea.
“This Is got such a great response on The Late Late Show when it was played while photos of the war in Ukraine were shown and sent out a very powerful message.
“We went out and listened to their stories before we did any recording.
“When you are hearing these stories on the television or radio it doesn’t really hit home, but when you are sitting in front of them and you are looking in their eyes, I swear to God it really hits home, what they have been through.
“I know it’s very easy for people to dismiss refugees coming into Ireland and I know Ireland has over 10,000 homeless people themselves – that still doesn’t mean we can’t accommodate Ukrainians.
“I think that’s going to really stand for Ireland in the future. Don’t forget the Irish people were the ones who were emigrating years and years ago as well.
“It was a great project to be part of and music really truly unites people.
“We have new Ukrainian fans now too which is great.”
- This Is For Ukraine airs on Virgin Media One at 9pm on Wednesday.
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