Keith business weaves its way into Ukrainians' hearts with special tartan
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A KEITH business has woven its way into the hearts of people in Ukraine with a brand new tartan.
Great Scot, based at Isla Bank Mills, has invented the Ukraine Forever Tartan – with all profits from sales to go to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
The tartan has already proven so popular that the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry has commented on it.
Founder and managing director of Great Scot, Margo Page McCoy, even said that a man fleeing Ukraine phoned up to order a scarf – which she will send free of charge.
Ms McCoy, who lives in Aberlour, said: "This tartan is all about regeneration, hope, courage and identity.
"It had to be fierce and bold, but sunny and hopeful. I think that's what the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry picked up on.
"The news about the invasion of Ukraine has put life into perspective and I thought there was something we could do. We were going to write a one-off cheque but decided to do more.
"We put it to our 120,000 social media followers and asked them what we should do and they responded by telling us to do what we do best – design a beautiful tartan and donate the profits.
"We will keep this going as long as people keep giving. The aim is raise £50,000 for charity.
"People from all over the world are talking about this – and that's the power of tartan."
The Ukraine Forever Tartan – named by Margo's daughter Skye – was made in record time, with an emotional night of work leading to its creation.
People can buy the tartan online, with all profits going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Customers buying other goods will be able to round up their purchase to the nearest pound to support the same cause.
It is hoped that the tartan will help signify Scotland standing with Ukraine during the country's darkest hour.
Margo added: "My daughter came up with the name Ukraine Forever as Vladimir Putin is trying to erase the Ukrainian border and take it off the map.
"For the people in Ukraine, we hope this will come to an end, but the tartan will endure. Long after we are gone people will say 'that's the tartan that was Scotland's alliance with Ukraine'.
"I want these people to know they are not alone."
As well as creating this tartan, the directors at Great Scot have gone above and beyond by donating a month's salary to charity.
Over and above raising funds for charity, Margo had one last objective. She added: "I'm going to put a kilt on Volodymyr Zelensky. I'm going to shake his hand and tell him he's an honorary Scot.
"That man really has gone above and beyond."
For more information, or to buy the tartan, visit www.greatscotscotland.com/collections/ukraine-forever-tartan.
