REFUGEES WILL BE WELCOME HERE
Essential we do all in our power to help, say Strath councillors
Two Strathearn councillors have said it is “essential” the region welcomes refugees fleeing the escalating violence being inflicted on Ukraine.
Well over 500,000 people have already been displaced from the Eastern European country since the start of the invasion by Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces last week, with camps set up in the likes of neighbouring Poland.
Independent e l e c t e d member Rhona Brock and SNP counterpart Stewart Donaldson are among those to have signed a motion set to be tabled at a full meeting of Perth and Kinross Council calling for the Ukrainian government and its people to receive the region’s full support.
Cllr Brock stated “It matters that we can demonstrate to all Ukrainian citizens living in Perth and Kinross that we deplore the Russian invasion of their homeland.
“The council itself only has limited opportunities to support the Ukrainian people, but I consider it is essential we do all within our power.”
Cllr Donaldson said: “We recognise that, along with the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people, many within Russia itself have been brave, and risked their personal safety, to oppose what Vladimir Putin is attempting.”
A call to help Ukrainians displaced by war has been wholeheartedly answered by Strath residents.
Locals have mobilised to collect essential items to be sent to aid refugees who have fled to neighbouring Poland since the beginning of the ongoing invasion by Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces.
Perth-based Polish Scout Group ZHP was one of a number of community groups to issue an appeal for items over the weekend.
Crieff resident Noah Khogali used his Nellfield Road house as a drop-off point for donations locally after seeing a social media post by Strath-based Marls Humphries.
The Lesley Mac Makes studio in Comrie’s Drummond Street also acted as a base until the sheer scale of the operation meant the village’s former Ancaster Arms had to be pressed into use as well.
Crieff’s Co-op store served as a focal point over Sunday and Monday, while Culture Perth and Kinross said the teams based at all the region’s libraries had been inundated with donations.
Collection points elsewhere included the Commercial Hotel in Muthill and the Strath capital’s Ardvreck School, among many others.
Noah said: “The response was absolutely incredible and we ended up with hundreds of bags of clothes, water, toiletries and medicines from Strathearn alone.
“We ended up with so much that we actually ran out of space to store it.
“New logistical challenges obviously came out of that but there are quite a few of us Crieff residents involved.
“Special credit must go to Marls Humphries for kick-starting the effort in the area, and the scale of donations really speaks to the kindhearted nature of the Strathearn community.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Noah continued:
“Morris Leslie has jumped in to provide logistical assistance to the Polish Scouts now after a discussion with Murdo Fraser MSP.
“I could never have imagined that a single post on Facebook offering to take donations to Perth for people would result in hundreds of bags of donations.
“It has brought out the absolute best in the community.”
Local designer Lesley Mac also praised Marls for her tireless efforts.
She told the Herald: “She was fantastic, and I can’t thank everyone who donated enough.
“The response was very overwhelming. We starting collecting early Monday morning and had filled what was basically a removal lorry by the afternoon.”
Marls, who lives near Gilmerton, said: “It’s the kind of community spirit and love that shows why people like Putin will never win in the end.
“For the people of Perthshire, this demonstrates the kind-heartedness for those abroad that has pulled us through two tough years at home.”
Magda Szmeichel works with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Perth and is one of those co-ordinating the collection on behalf of the Polish Scout Group.
She said a lorry was due to leave Perth on Wednesday this week, which will go to a sorting hub in Doncaster and on to Poland.
She added: “We have been overwhelmed by how many people been willing to give.”
The response was absolutely incredible and we ended up with hundreds of bags Noah Khogali