Inverness Cathedral is doing its bit by launching a collection to help the refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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Inverness Cathedral has launched a collection to help the refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Organisers are aiming to help as many people as possible – especially babies and children – and are looking for donations of a range of items.
Donations can include the following: NHS baby boxes and mattresses; warm baby clothing up to 24 months; nappies; Sudocrem; basic medical supplies such as plasters and bandages; and baby sleeping bags.
Kerry Kendell, the cathedral’s senior events manager, said: “These need to be clean and either new or undamaged. Please try and pack in a box where possible, or a bag, and mark what it contains.
“This will hugely benefit the efforts in getting the correct things to correct places and keeping on top of what is still needed.”
She said they had noticed an influx of people coming to the cathedral for silent prayer and to the Sunday services since the crisis in Ukraine began.
Ms Kendell said: “We wanted not only to support the people of Inverness in these worrying times but also the people of Ukraine in their time of crisis.”
She said one of the trustees had made contact with a logistical company which is travelling to Poland and added: “We know in the past that the NHS baby boxes have been donated to refugees and helped give an infant a safe place to sleep. We originally appealed for the boxes only, however many donations have come through including lots of blankets, adult clothes and jackets.
“We have been overwhelmed with response to our appeal, hundreds of people have come forward to help. The folk of Inverness have kindly donated lots of items and offered their time to help sort through the donations.
“All of us at the Inverness Cathedral Team would like to thank the folk of Inverness and surrounding areas for their support and kindness.”
The donations will be sorted through and boxed up before being taken to the team which is travelling to Poland to help the crisis.
Ms Kendall said: “We have a candle in the cathedral that will stay lit until peace has been restored in Ukraine. There are candles in the Lady Chapel, folk are welcome to come and light one.
“The service bell at the cathedral will be chimed 30 times each day at noon to show our support for the Ukrainian people.
“We also have millionaire shortbread in our café which is decorated with the Ukrainian flag. 100 per cent of the sale of these biscuits will go directly to the British Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.”
The Very Reverend Sarah Murray, the Provost of Inverness Cathedral, said: “People at the cathedral have been praying and we have been offering a space for prayer and reflection as the situation unfolded in Ukraine and will do so until there is a peaceful resolution.
"Members of the congregation and our young people especially highlighted the need to put our prayers into action and so have been at the forefront of this vital and important practical way in which we and the community are coming together to support those finding themselves having to leave their homes, their homeland and their husbands, brothers, sons to get to a place of relative safety.
“In times like this we can so often feel helpless and this is one small way in which we can help in a practical way as well as showing our love, support and solidarity for our fellow sisters and brothers in the Ukraine and support the amazing work of the people of Poland who are offering a sanctuary at this time.
"We continue to pray for peace and for Ukraine to once more be a safe and peaceful country for her people.”
