Sir Rod Steward hailed as ‘great hero’ by Ukrainian family he saved and housed in Berkshire

A family of Ukrainian refugees played Sir Rod Stewart’s music in the house every day after the singing legend rescued them from war-torn Ukraine.

Grateful father Rostyslav Kurtiak, 49, shared how his family owed their lives to the rocker after he found them a home in a leafy Berkshire town.

Rostyslav’s family of seven now lives in a three-storey £500,000 mansion and the singer has promised to pay their rent and bills for at least a year.

Holding his two-year-old son Dymtro in his arms, he told MailOnline: ‘Sir Rod is a wonderful man. He saved my family from danger.

“Now my children are safe and they learn at school like normal children.”

The family is moving into their four-bedroom house in Bracknell, Berks, after moving in over the summer.

Sir Rod, 77, and wife Penny, 51, stepped in after hearing of the plight of Rostyslav, wife Olena and children Taras, 17, Kostya, 16, Roman, 13, Mariia, 10, and Dymtro.

The family, who speak no English, became homeless and without money after fleeing their homeland.

The singer had already worked with family members to rescue refugees after organizing three trucks to take 16 refugees back to safety in Berlin.

Rostyslav praised Sir Rod as “a great hero” and said he plays his music around the clock in tribute.

He said, ‘Of course I like his music. I always liked it, but now I’m his biggest fan.

‘I play his music every day, every day! My favorite is sailing. I like the version he makes with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

My kids love his songs too. We play his music on You Tube. He’s a great singer and a great man.’

Rostyslav also likes Rhythm of My Heart – which Sir Rod said he wrote about the Vietnam War, but said he would devote himself to Ukrainians on his upcoming tour.

The family home was built in 2005 and features a master bedroom on the top floor with an en-suite bathroom.

There is a large family kitchen downstairs and an enclosed garden at the back.

Rostyslav said, “When we first moved in, we knew nothing about Sir Rod.

“When we found out and it was such a shock. He came to visit us last week.

‘It was a big surprise. He drank tea and ate sweets and we went into the garden.’

Rostyslav said he had previously worked in the legal profession, as an electrician, and in computers and photography.

The father, who said he hopes to find work once he settles in and improves his language skills, added of Sir Rod: ‘He has done so much for our country by saving children every day.

“Winter is coming and it’s going to be a very difficult time for my people.”

Sir Rod said he wanted to use his “strength” as a knight to help others.

He told the Daily Mirror about when he first met the family.

He said: ‘I walked through the door and they all came running down the stairs, all beautifully dressed in Ukrainian national dress.

“It was so beautiful that they all made the effort. They made me a cup of tea and we had loads of cookies and chocolates, although the baby kept biting mine. It was really magnificent.’

He added of the visit: ‘I think they were informed about who I was before they met me – and they certainly know who I am now, as I left them about 500 CDs.’

Neighbors told of their surprise after learning that the family owed their new home to the singer.

One of them said, ‘We knew they lived there, but we had no idea who was behind it. We didn’t know who set them up.

‘They keep to themselves. We see them taking their children to school. The parents don’t speak English.

“The house had been empty for a while. The people who owned it struggled to sell it and put it on the rental market.

“It had been empty for a long time. It’s good that he’s with him and that people live there, otherwise it would be empty.’

Another neighbor said; ‘It’s so much fun to do.

“It’s great to get your house paid and not have to worry about your gas and electricity bills, especially now that you have five kids. It’s a start for them.

“It’s nice to see someone famous do something nice with their money.”

The family’s wife added: “They seem friendly enough. The children play here on their bicycles. Bracknell is a nice place to live. It’s a new city. There are many schools, good facilities and there are some very beautiful places here.

‘There is a lot of greenery around and parks. Windsor is just down the road, so you’re not far from Royalty.’

A woman who lives next door said: ‘Unfortunately we didn’t see Sir Rod. I am a fan of his.

“They moved for well over a month or so over the summer. It was a gradual movement. There was a van that dropped off bits and pieces here and there.

“They’ve done well. Very good. They don’t have a car so you see them walking around. The schools are a little further away.

‘It would take you about 20 minutes to walk to the city center.

“I spoke to them a few weeks ago to ask if they would like our two bar stools because we were buying new ones and didn’t know what their furniture situation was like.

“He said the little one was a little too young and that he was afraid he might hurt himself.

“I had to use the translator on his phone to communicate. I spoke into the phone and it translated.’

Another neighbor added: “They’ve been here for two or three months. I always say hello to them. The father is always friendly.

“I haven’t seen Rod Stewart, but it’s a lot of fun to do.”