'Please don't forget Wee Box appeal', Ross-shire charity backers urged; Supporters in Tain and Dingwall have previously contributed thousands to lifeline SCIAF appeal

PEOPLE across Ross-shire are being asked not to forget some of the world's poorest, most traumatised people during the coronavirus crisis.

While the county has previously got behind the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) Wee Box appeal, the charity fears coronavirus could heavily impact the work it delivers.

The money raised from the appeal will help women affected by widespread rape in the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where its incredible mineral wealth has helped fuel decades of sexual violence, leaving thousands of women and girls injured and traumatised and in urgent need of help.

SCIAF’s director Alistair Dutton said: “We’re extremely grateful for everything we receive from the people of the Highlands every year. Every global crisis hits the people we’re working with in the poorest parts of the world hardest, and the coronavirus is no different.

“In these very difficult times, I urge you not to forget thousands of women and girls who need our help to recover from horrific sexual violence they’ve suffered.However, bleak things feel here, their circumstances are much worse. Please give whatever you can to the Wee Box appeal to help us provide the help they need. The money you give will be doubled by the UK government until May 20, 2020 and will make an even bigger difference to some of the world’s poorest people."

Money given to the appeal this year will help the charity’s life changing work around the world, while match funding from the UK government will provide a lifeline to 4000 extremely vulnerable women affected by sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Last year, the people of the Highlands generously raised over £26,000 – including over £1500 from Dingwall and £1300 from Tain – bringing the total donations from Scotland to £925,869. The money enabled SCIAF to help some of the poorest people in the world with medical care, vocational training and education.

Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue, who are helping SCIAF to raise awareness of the widespread sexual violence in DRC, recently travelled to meet women the charity is supporting with medical care, trauma counselling, free legal support to prosecute their attackers and help so they and their families can become financially independent.

Lorraine McIntosh said: “The scale and brutality of sexual violence in eastern DR Congo is extremely disturbing. The lives of thousands of women and their families are being torn apart. It was great to see how money given in Scotland is helping women get the medical treatment, trauma counselling, free legal aid and help to recover and support themselves and their families in the future. The strength and courage of the women I met was truly inspiring and many more urgently need our help.”

Ricky Ross said: “Years of brutality and conflict in the areas we visited are taking their toll. Women and children are bearing the brunt of this. The money raised from the appeal will allow SCIAF to help thousands more women and girls to get the urgent help they need, and I would urge everyone to please give what you can.”

Each year, people the length and breadth of Scotland give up a favourite treat such as coffee, chocolate or wine, put the money they save in a SCIAF Wee Box and then donate it to help the charity’s work in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The generosity of people across Scotland helps provide the support vulnerable and poor communities need to help themselves and build a future.

To get your own Wee Box, make a donation or to find out more about the campaign, visit www.sciaf.org.uk/weebox or call 0141 354 5555.

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