The message is simple to our Ukrainian guests, says Badenoch and Strathspey
Residents in the strath are reaching out to the people of war-shattered Ukraine offering homes, jobs, supplies, money and even a hospital.
A call has come forward from the community in Kingussie to use the town’s former St Vincent’s Hospital as a base for refugees fleeing the horrors inflicted on their homeland by Russian forces.
There has also been another rallying cry for the co-ordination of all the efforts and groups who were doing so much from across the area. The aim is to continue raising funds and collecting provisions to add to the thousands of donations already made locally – but not to send it away.
Instead the call is to keep the supplies here, in preparation for the Ukrainians who it is hoped will shortly arrive in the strath as part of efforts by the UK and Scottish governments to provide safe havens.
Organisers of the Badenoch and Strathspey Minibus Association’s (BASMA) “Help our Ukrainian Refugees Appeal” announced a meeting tomorrow (Friday) in St Andrews Church in Aviemore at 7pm to link the many local efforts.
“We are trying to pull together all the resources in the strath under one appeal,” explained the association’s secretary Frank Anderson.
“We are inviting representatives from all local community councils, schools, church groups, charities, businesses, sports clubs and community groups to attend.
“Pooling these resources could make such a difference to any refugees sent to our area.”
Language difficulties will have to be addressed to expedite matters, he told the Strathy.
“If anyone knows of any Ukrainian language speakers already living in the strath who might offer help with translation in the future then we’d be grateful if they please contact us.”
Kingussie resident Christine Dallas sparked a hail of supporting posts with an enterprising suggestion to use the town’s former hospital accommodation for refugees.
She told the Strathy: "It struck me that things might be difficult for those coming over from Ukraine to a strange country and that putting them into the corners of single houses might be a bit daunting for them.
"We have the hospital sitting there and we certainly have the tradesmen to get it ready for housing a community of Ukrainians who, on their own terms, could ease themselves into the community at their own pace.
"Hopefully this can be arranged sooner rather than later.
"There's certainly been lots of support for the idea."
St Vincent’s closed in September when the £20 million Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital opened in Aviemore.
Kingussie Community Council was updated this week that damage caused to the building in recent winter storms had been repaired. NHS Highland confirmed that the roof had been fixed and cut gas lines restored.
Watchdog member Janet Kinnaird said: “Trees had fallen on it during the recent storms.”
“Windows had been open and some equipment damaged. But debris has been removed and the building made safe.”
It is now wind and water-tight again. The old hospital has been declared surplus to requirements by NHS Highland and is being offered to public authorities first and will go on the open market if there are no takers.
Russell Jones, representing the community organisation OneKingussie, told the Strathy: “Whilst we realise that to make Christine’s idea of housing Ukrainian refugees in St Vincent’s a reality, the Highland health board and Highland Council would have to work together and show a will to make it happen, these are extraordinary times and an extraordinary effort is required. No doubt there will be problems to overcome but nothing is impossible.”
Highland councillors debated the war on Thursday during which members gave their unequivocal support to Ukraine’s people.
The discussion also covered humanitarian help; support for refugees and support for staff, young people and the wider public – and in particular for those with families and friends involved in the crisis.
The UK government has launched ‘Homes for Ukrainians’ with more details at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
The Scottish Government has proposed to become ‘super sponsors’ to allow up to 3000 Ukrainians to come to Scotland in the first wave of refugees. A council spokeswoman said: “Further information on the evolving response from UK and Scottish Government will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.”
Anyone with questions about the BASMA meeting can email Mr Anderson at basmasec@btinternet.com
