Nairn charity dinner raises funds for Ukraine
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A HARBOUR front cafe in Nairn has raised over £1000 from a dinner of Ukrainian cuisine to purchase much needed supplies for refugees in the war torn country.
Jamie and Jo Barron who run the Basil cafe overlooking the town harbour felt compelled to do something to help their friend Iryna Polovska who hopes soon to be re-united with family members escaping the devastation in her homeland.
Two sittings were organised in the small venue.
Jamie said: "The repercussions of the war has had an impact on many businesses in the UK because of rising costs. But we are lucky our business is sustainable and what we are witnessing in Ukraine is horrific and we wanted to do something to help.
"Initially the plan was for Iryna to prepare some Ukranian soup dishes and we would sell them over a few days and given them the proceeds. But after a bit of thought we decided to offer a full dinner menu when the cafe was closed.
"Iryna and her Ukranian friend Tanya Reign did all the prep and we did the cooking and served the meal to 27 guests over two sittings.
"I hoped we might raise £600 but they were very generous and some of our regulars who were not attending the dinner gave donations and we raised £1012. Iryna is forwarding the funds to a charity where the money will be put to good use."
Iryna, who came to Scotland with her husband Diego Ferrari in 2014 with their daughter Anita is waiting for her mother, Lilia, sister-in-law and nephew to arrive in Nairn after escaping from the war. "They are still in Germany. My mother and sister-in-law have clearance and we are just waiting for the paperwork for my nephew and then they come to the UK."
She has been working with the Polish Association in Aberdeen to deliver aid to Ukraine.
Tanya and her husband Anatolij and son, live in Inverness and they are from the city of Kolomuya in Ukraine.
"Our Ukrainian dinner was very successful in every way. We received so many positive feedbacks about the delicious food and friendly atmosphere at the event. We all worked very hard to make it happen and we are very proud of this success.
"The amount raised will be used to buy medical supplies that are impossible to buy in Ukraine at the moment but are extremely needed, indeed someone's life can depend on these supplies."
Iryna said she gets phone calls every day about the lack of very basic supplies, the Mayor of her home city Lviv was saying that most humanitarian help/supplies are provided by Ukrainians abroad single people and small companies, private companies.
"My hometown is now being targeted by Russian missiles. One fell less than a mile from my family home and another was near my aunt's workplace and it all happened in front of her eyes."
Ardersier Folk Club and Nairn Ceilidh Group are also organising separate events to support the people of Ukraine.
