Forres folk rally in support of Ukraine people fleeing Russian bombardment

PEOPLE in Forres are rallying in support of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Rotary Forres, Dionne Ross from Kinloss, and local businesses The Dessert's Shack, Ashers bakery and Clear Pharmacy are all collecting essential humanitarian items.

Members of Rotary Forres will be hosting a cash collection at Tesco in the town on Saturday from 10am-4pm for the charity Shelterbox.

The charity provides emergency shelter for families robbed of their homes by disaster anywhere in the world.

You can find out more about their work at www.shelterbox.org/

Dionne Ross, from Kinloss, has also been collecting items.

She said: "Watching the conflict in Ukraine unfold over the last few weeks has both horrified and inspired me.

"On Sunday evening I started looking for places taking supplies. A Touch of Poland, a shop in Inverness was acting as a collection point and they are organising lorries to transport hygiene products, nappies, baby wipes, first aid kits, sleeping bags, roll mats, dry food and things to the Poland/Ukraine border.

"I used social media to let the community know I was putting collection boxes around the three different sites on our military families estates.

"I am overwhelmed and deeply proud of the incredible generosity demonstrated by the veteran and military community in Kinloss."

Dionne is a veteran herself and currently works at Joint Force Alba, an ex-military recruitment specialist.

"As a community we just want to help in whatever way we can.

"I have already dropped off a full car load to a Touch of Poland and it’s fabulous to see more places locally getting involved."

There are also drop-off points in Forres for Ukraine aid, leaving next Tuesday.

The Dessert's Shack (126 High Street), Ashers Bakery (139 High Street) and Clear Pharmacy (83 High Stree), are the collection points.

A van will leave Forres on Tuesday at 8am bound for the Red Cross in Aberdeen, and thereafter to Ukraine.

Claire Main, owner of The Dessert's Shack, offered her business as a collection point after the aunt, Justyna Skucińska, of her good friend Arek Urbaniec, who is Polish, decided to help. Arek's sister Aneta also got her place of work, the Clear Pharmacy, to act as a collection point.

Claire said: "It is a horrible situation and we are all just trying to help."

The response has been good this week, with donations flooding in.

Items required include: medicines for children and adults (Calpol/Paracetamol, Ibuprofen); creams for children (Sudocreme/Bepathen/any nappy rash creams); baby nappies; sanitary pads, tampons; bandages; powdered milk for children; flour; dry yeast; non-perishable food (canned food, pasta, rice); wet wipes; baby wipes; energy bars; batteries; flashlights; thermal blankets; underwear (new).

The Red Cross shop in Forres is also taking in cash donations for Ukraine.

With fighting intensifying in Ukraine, there is a need to get critical support to those who need it most. People are losing their homes and lives, and families are being separated. People can donate to the Red Cross effort on 0300 023 0820 or visit redcross.org.uk/ukraine)

Shop manager Ashleigh Macken said: "Our shops are not accepting gifts in kind (stock donations) towards the appeal but we have been directing the public to donate to the Polish food shop in Elgin (Commerce Street)."

The Red Cross emergency appeal has already raised more than £6 million.

The organisation is working with local agencies on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries where refugees are fleeing to safety.