Ukraine: North-east fundraising appeal calls for aid towards transport costs
Efforts continue across the north-east to provide vital items needed for those in Ukraine affected by the ongoing war in the country.
The generosity of locals in helping provide urgently needed items has now led to call for aid in making sure that transport is available to get the goods to the Polish-Urkaine border for forwarding on.
The "Kołowrotek - simply helping" group in Aberdeen has been working tirelessly in the past few days to collate and collect items from points in Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Banff, Inverurie, Inverness, Elgin, Ellon, Fort William, Oban, Aboyne, Stonehaven and Rothiemay at a central point in Dyce
The group's Katarzyna Cwiklinska expained that funding transport is now a crucial element that needs support and set up a justgiving page in order to facilitate this.
It can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/aberdeenhelpukraine and donations of any size will help as there is already a backlog building up of items ready for sending on.
Further information including current drop off points and a full list of items required can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1802548003151867
At a national level work is also ongoing to identify routes for transport of aid, both financial aid and medical to Ukraine.
An initial £4m in humanitarian aid will be provided to help provide basic humanitarian assistance, including in health, water and sanitation, and shelter.
Officials are in discussions with humanitarian aid agencies to identify the best route to get this aid most quickly to those affected by the Ukraine crisis, including to those displaced by the invasion.
Other local fundraising efforts include the owners of the Coffee Apothecary in Ellon, Jonny and Ali Aspden who are giving over a full days takings to the Red Cross appeal .
Jonny explained: "Being a small hospitality business these last few years have been tough but they are nothing compared to what those who are caught up in the senseless war that is happening in Ukraine are going through.
"Our hearts are broken by what is happening and so we want to do something.
"We are desperate to help by donating to those that are doing their best to help and bring peace.
"With this in mind we are going to donate every penny that is spent in our two cafes this Thursday to the British Red Cross Ukraine appeal.
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"We will also have donation pots out in the cafes if you would like to give further."
On the local response the leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Andy Kille said: “Aberdeenshire is and always has been a welcoming place.
"Ours are communities of respect, inclusion and tolerance.
"Aberdeenshire is home to people from across the globe and this is something that we should all be proud of and be active in fostering.
“I speak for everyone within the Council when I say we stand firmly in support of the Ukrainian people, who are experiencing the most unimaginable fear.
"At the same time we recognise that global events are happening against the will of a great number of Russians, and it is my most sincere hope that those who live and work in Aberdeenshire are given the respect they deserve.”
