Highland food appeal to help Syrian refugees
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A HIGHLAND-based international charity has launched a renewed appeal to provide food for Syrian refugees in their journey through the Balkans.
Blythswood Care’s head of projects, Finlay Mackenzie, said: "The situation in Serbia is changing every day. Blythswood Serbia is working with the Serbian Red Cross in Presevo down in the south, where people are pouring across the border from Macedonia.
"We’ve been working there for more than 20 years and are keenly aware that the Serbs can barely provide for their own people. They have massive unemployment.
"Between 4,000 and 5,000 refugees are passing through Presevo every day.They are completely focused on moving north.
"We are constantly reviewing what we are doing for these people but right now the best we can do is provide food.
"About £5 can purchase a sack of flour in Serbia. We can fund a meal of a small loaf of bread with cheese for 37p."
At present Blythswood is not transporting clothes or other aid from the UK to Serbia.
Mr Mackenzie added: "Buying food in Serbia is the most efficient way to help right now, but we are always pleased to receive donations of clothes, bric-a-brac and other items that help fund our projects at home and abroad."
Donation can be made to Blythswood refugee appeal by texting SYRI15 £5 to 70070 or online at www.blythswood.org or by calling 01349 830777 or by sending a cheque to Blythswood Care, Highland Deephaven, Evanton, IV16 9XJ.
