‘I COULDN’T NOT BRING THEM TO SAFETY’

Selfless football fan took it upon himself to ferry Ukrainian orphans away from their war-torn country to Scotland

Rescued dozens of orphans from the war in Ukraine, giving them hope and a new home in Scotland.

IN one of the most emotional moments of the night, a bighearted dad-of-three from Perth was surprised on stage by a group of Ukrainian orphans he rescued.

Steven Carr is the driving force behind Dnipro Kids, a charity born after Hibs played Ukrainian side Dnipro in the UEFA Cup in 2005. Travelling fans held a collection for a local orphanage, and maintained links after returning to Scotland, founding the charity and setting up a sponsorship scheme.

When Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourthlargest city, came under attack in February, Steven formed a plan to rescue a group of 50 children from five orphanages. “I kept it to myself at first, in case our committee tried to talk me out of it,” said Steven.

After flying to Poland, Steven organised a bus to transport the children and their carers to safety across the border in two separate voyages.

After an agonising two-week wait for visas, and a specially arranged flight from Warsaw, the children arrived in Callander, Stirling in March, while preparations were made for a longer term stay in Edinburgh.

Steven choked back tears as he picked up his Special Recognition award from STV newsreader

Kelly Ann Woodland.

But he couldn’t hold back when some of the orphans walked out on stage, including one little girl who whispered:

“We love you Stevie.”

Steven said: “It’s not often I am lost for words but I am tonight. I never imagined that attending a football match all those years ago would change my life forever. I believe some things happen for a reason.

“These kids are just the most amazing children. They’ve already had a hard start in life after losing their parents and now their country is being ripped to bits. I couldn’t not bring them to safety.

“What better place to bring them to than Scotland? A country that has welcomed them all with open arms and hearts. Seeing the overwhelming reaction to the kids tonight here at the awards makes me proud to be Scottish.”

STV News at Six presenter Kelly Ann was so moved by Steven’s rescue mission she had to compose herself backstage. She said: “Stevie is just the most incredible human being. He had me in tears.

“One of the little children whispered to him on stage ‘we love you’ which really brought it all home. I am a mum of two little boys aged nine and five and I can’t imagine their lives being ripped apart. Stevie has brought them to a safe place.”

For more information about the charity go to dniprokids.com