Black Isle communities show solidarity for people of Ukraine amid anger at US withdrawal of support
Communities on the Black Isle have demonstrated their support for the people of war-torn Ukraine by donating thousands of food, medical and hygiene items.
The show of solidarity came in the wake of the withdrawal of support for Ukraine by US President Donald Trump.
A collection of items to send to the front line areas in the east of the besieged country - which was subject to a full-scale invasion by Russia three years ago - resulted in a “remarkable” response at Fortrose Town Hall, according to the Inverness-based charity, Highlands for Ukraine.
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The charity said thousands of items were donated by people furious and despairing at the actions of the US president and his deputy, J D Vance, and wanted to help shore up Ukrainians’ morale by letting them know they have friends in Scotland.
It is now challenging other Highland communities to show their support for Ukraine in a practical way.
Avoch businessman Steve Baker booked the Fortrose venue for two days and asked people to bring donations from a specific list.
He said it was hard to keep up with the constant stream of deliveries which resulted.
“It was really easy to organise the collection days but the result was phenomenal,” he said.
“Thankfully, communities like ours still care about injustice and have the power to come together to do something helpful.
“The only thing people could talk about when they came to the town hall to donate was how angry they were and how they wanted to do something, anything, to help.”
Mr Baker said Highlands for Ukraine provided the publicity material and arranged collection so all volunteers had to do was be there to receive the donations.
“I’m sure if many other towns and villages across the Highlands gathered a few volunteers they could achieve the same results as we did - and it feels so worthwhile to know you are helping those in danger and distress,” he said.
“It’s very little effort for a huge reward.”
The donations will be forwarded to the main danger areas for civilians, including Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy, by Highlands for Ukraine which sends essential humanitarian aid on an almost weekly basis with help from the members of the four Rotary Clubs in Inverness and Inner Wheel.
Helen MacRae, of Highlands for Ukraine, said it was the third successful event Mr Baker had organised and the charity could not thank him enough.
“Nightly, it is civilians homes that are the target of intense bombing, missile attacks or drone hits and I don’t think many people realise these are ordinary communities where locals are being killed and injured,” she said.
“These are not attacks on military bases or armaments supplies, these are direct attacks designed to hit the moral of the Ukrainian population.
“So they really need our support right now, they are a nation made up of some strong and brave people but they can’t fight alone.
“We can help from our own homes in the Highlands to theirs.
“You don’t have to donate much, a can of beans or a packet of pasta can make a real difference in these towns, just like ours, being destroyed day after day.”
Any community interested in taking up the challenge should email info@higlands.samye.org and the charity will book a local hall and arrange collection of the donations.
