Pictured from left to right are: Samantha MacDougall, HPWU; Douglas Craik, Chair of Griffin & Calliachar Fund Panel; Gordon Leighton, HPWU; and Craig Mullen, SSE Renewables.
SSE Renewables has donated more than £27,000 to help refugees in Highland Perthshire after a local charity organisation was set up following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
The Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine group (HPWU) will receive money through the company’s Griffin & Calliachar Community Fund.
The group has been created by the same people who started the Feldy Roo initiative which delivered food to isolated or isolating people throughout the Covid19 lockdown – an organisation which SSE Renewables was also able to support.
Based in Aberfeldy, the charity organisation will actively match interested parties with displaced Ukrainians seeking refuge in Scotland and so far, has over 60 sponsors throughout the area willing to provide accommodation.
The organisation which mobilised quickly following the Russian invasion, has a dedicated team of volunteers who are supporting refugees with translations and matchmaking, as well as helping local sponsors by ensuring they provide the right information during the visa application process.
"When the proposal was put to us, we asked the Griffin & Calliachar Community Fund panel, which has representation from five local community council areas in Highland Perthshire if they would be willing to consider this application for fast-track funding due to the pressing nature of the crisis.
Craig Mullen Community Investment Manager for SSE Renewables
The panel welcomed the proposal and within a day or so, the full amount requested was agreed.
The money is to be used to provide support packs to the refugees consisting of clothing, food and other essential items, as well as IT and communications equipment destined for a local venue in Aberfeldy where refugees will be able to stay connected with family back home.
Also, we’re pleased that the that the support the organisation provides will be extended to all refugees in the area, not only those arriving from Ukraine."
"On behalf of all the volunteers and home sponsors of HPWU we would like to thank SSE Renewables for their generous and swift response to our application.
Gavin Price Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine
The funding is an incredible boost to the project. This will allow us, in the first instance, to transport Ukrainian families safely here, but then also enable us to provide families with support after they arrive.
These funds will ensure Highland Perthshire provides a welcoming environment to Ukrainian families at a time when they will need it most."
Read more about Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine here: https://www.highlandperthshirewelcomesukraine.org/