Christmas pop-up shop opens in Highland capital as Ukrainians face second winter of war
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A pop-up shop will open in the Highland capital today to help Ukrainians as they face a second winter of war.
The charity, Highland for Ukraine, provides support for displaced Ukrainians after they fled their homeland following the Russian invasion and it has also sent vital aid to help those enduring war and deprivation.
It is now launching seven days of sales of children's new clothing and other items at a newly-opened hub in 4 Strothers Lane.
At the same time, it is also appealing for donations of good quality items to be sent to help Ukrainians including babies and children as well as the elderly and infirm.
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The pop-up shop, which will open daily from 10am until 4pm with late night shopping on Thursday, is part of a week-long collection and fundraising effort.
It will be staffed by volunteers, with help from the city’s four Rotary clubs and by Ukrainian mothers who have come to the Highlands to protect their children but are desperate to help family and friends and their husbands who they had to leave behind.
Helen MacRae, of Highlands for Ukraine, said: "The idea is that locals can buy Christmas gifts for family, friends or, indeed, to treat themselves, while at the same time supporting those facing war and deprivation as winter hits the villages and towns still being bombed nightly by the invading forces in the south and east of Ukraine."
Baby items, children’s trainers, some adult clothing and new children’s books are being sold over the seven days.
The stock in the shop is good quality new clothing with labels such as Nike, Lee Cooper, Bench and Champion which will be selling for just half the manufacturer’s recommended price with all proceeds going to the charity
At the same time, it is asking for donations of items such as long-life food, nappies (for older children), incontinence pads for adults – which are much sought after as wound dressings for amputees in heavily mined areas – new thermal underwear, gloves, T-shirts, socks, blankets, duvets and general medical items.
It is also appealing for donations of food for animals in shelters in Kherson area where the charity continues to help those still battling the effects of devastating flooding earlier this year.
"We will take practically anything you can think of that is needed to feed people and keep them warm in this second winter of the war," Ms MacRae said.
"It is mainly the elderly, frail and infirm that have been left behind in the villages on the front line who desperately need our help but there are also some families, including with babies and young children, who are too scared to leave the familiarity of their homes to face the uncertainty of a new country, thousands of miles away with unknown challenges.
"People in the Highlands might be aware that there have recently been some forced evacuations of children from these communities, but many still remain and need our help, our support and our care."
No salaries or day-to-day expenses are taken by Highlands for Ukraine so there are no high overheads and the funds get directly to where they are needed.
With the help of business owner Sonia Paterson, it recently opened a hub for displaced Ukrainians in the Highlands in premises previously occupied by Poppyscotland.
It enables mothers to improve their language skills at informal English conversation classes while their children are cared for in another room.
A volunteer psychologist runs a women's support group and singing classes are also being arranged.
Support is also being given by members of the congregation at Crown Church, Inverness.
They are helping in the donation effort and collecting items on the charity's wish list.
It is hoped other church congregations will also become involved in the run-up to Christmas.
