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Caithness collections in aid of Ukraine refugee crisis – 'It's a community coming all together to help'


By David G Scott

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On Saturday morning, Wick's St Fergus Church was one of three collection points across the county for kind-hearted Caithnessians to donate goods for people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Last week, staff at Wick Laundry collected bags of clothes, toiletries and other necessities that were then deposited at the church. A further appeal saw local people deliver bag after bag of goods to the kirk from 10am on Saturday until after 3pm.

Many bags were taken from Wick Laundry, which was the first port of call for the Ukrainian appeal, and taken to be stored at St Fergus Church. . Picture: DGS
Many bags were taken from Wick Laundry, which was the first port of call for the Ukrainian appeal, and taken to be stored at St Fergus Church. . Picture: DGS
David Shand takes bags of goods into the St Fergus Church. Picture: DGS
David Shand takes bags of goods into the St Fergus Church. Picture: DGS

St Fergus church member Pamela Macadie said: "The lassies at the laundry started it all up and they didn't have much room down there so we offered the church to store the stuff.

"The laundry isn't open today, so we thought we'd open the church so that people could come here." Pamela said that the public had rallied to the appeal from social media posts that went out at the start of last week. "The laundry had put a Facebook post up and there was a lot handed in after that. We've been back and fore to the laundry every day to collect the stuff and store it here."

Ukraine appeal at Wick's St Fergus Church on Saturday morning with volunteers collecting the many donations. Picture: DGS
Ukraine appeal at Wick's St Fergus Church on Saturday morning with volunteers collecting the many donations. Picture: DGS
More and more bags are taken into the church. Picture: DGS
More and more bags are taken into the church. Picture: DGS

A steady stream of people with bags and boxes could be seen arriving at the iconic Wick kirk and church members, along with volunteers, were busy sorting out the jumble of items that ranged from army surplus type supplies, rucksacks, jackets, boots and waterproofs to toilet roll, soap, shampoo, various dried foods and baby items as well as toys for young children to play with in the refugee camps being set up in Poland and neighbouring countries..

A coordinated effort has not only involved Wick Laundry and St Fergus Church but also drop-off points at Stemster House in Halkirk and the Highland Christian Church at Millbank Road, Thurso, which is open for donations on Wednesday (March 9) from 2-6pm. All the donations are coordinated to be taken south by lorry when they have all been received.

Local people rallied to the appeal for clothes, toiletries and other goods. Picture: DGS
Local people rallied to the appeal for clothes, toiletries and other goods. Picture: DGS
More bags delivered by locals on Saturday morning. Picture: DGS
More bags delivered by locals on Saturday morning. Picture: DGS

"We've got bedding, ladies and gents wear, toiletries, nappies, prams and dried foods. Caitlin [Mowat] from Wick Laundry is organising a lorry to take all the stuff away," added Pamela.

"We really want to thank the public. It's a community coming all together to help [and] it's heartbreaking what happened. It's the girls at the laundry who should really be recognised for starting it all up."

Session clerk at St Fergus Church, Kathleen Robertson, was also present at Saturday's collection and said: "We had the hall and it was sitting doing nothing so we said they could use it until the lorry comes to take it away. Lots and lots of people have been coming.

Session clerk at St Fergus Church Kathleen Robertson. Picture: DGS
Session clerk at St Fergus Church Kathleen Robertson. Picture: DGS

"It beggar's belief what is happening [in Ukraine] and it's just criminal. We are here to help the people who are on the run, so to speak, and will be open again on Monday."

In a Facebook post from today, Wick Laundry wrote: "Wow is all we can say to the generosity that has been given by everyone for the Ukraine appeal.

"With this we are going to say our last day for collections at the laundry will be this Wednesday the 9th of March, there are still other collection points but think at the moment we will try and focus on moving everything to Stemster House and then will be looking for as many people as possible to help sort, stack, wrap and label pallets ready for lorry and customs.

"Thank you again to everyone for their help it’s really touching to see how caring everyone is, and if anyone has a lorry willing to travel please get in touch we have had some monetary donations to help towards the travel."

Related article:

'It has touched us all...' Caithness community effort for Ukraine gets under way


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