Tag: Ukraine support

PM meets Ukraine’s President

The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit yesterday

The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit yesterday. 

The Prime Minister offered his deepest condolences for the awful attack on a Ukrainian hospital. 

The Prime Minister reiterated that the change in government in the UK meant no change in the UK’s support for Ukraine, as illustrated by the early visit of the Defence Secretary. 

President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for his kind words in relation to the attack of the hospital, and the immediate steps the UK has taken to further support Ukraine.

They discussed further work to strengthen the maritime capability coalition, broader Ukrainian defensive capabilities, and diplomatic efforts to build on the recent Peace Summit in Switzerland. 

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to speaking further at the European Political Community meeting in the UK next week.

UK to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, PM to tell NATO

The international community cannot waver in the face of relentless Russian aggression, the Prime Minister will tell NATO today

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer recommits to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine until 2030/31 and for as long as needed
  • He will warn Allies that the frontline defence of the Euro-Atlantic region is the Ukrainian trenches 
  • Comes after the UK pledges to accelerate lethal aid support to Kyiv 

The international community cannot waver in the face of relentless Russian aggression, the Prime Minister will tell NATO today as he doubles down on the UK’s £3 billion per year package of military funding for as long as needed. 

The confirmation of the UK’s multi-year £3 billion military funding package for Ukraine comes after President Putin unleashed a string of sickening attacks this week, including a devastating attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. 

The Prime Minister will tell NATO leaders that President Putin’s depraved acts will only serve to steel the international community’s resolve to support Ukraine. 

As well as ensuring Ukraine has the financial support it needs to plan and fuel its defence against Russian forces, the UK will deliver a new package of artillery and 90 Brimstone missiles in the coming weeks. 

The commitment was made by the Defence Secretary after he travelled to Ukraine – at the request of the Prime Minister – on his first full day in the office. 

The UK has also confirmed it will contribute £40 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine. The UK is the third largest donor to the Package, ensuring Ukraine can access vital assistance in key areas including counter drone protection, demining of recaptured land and medical rehabilitation of its injured military personnel. 

In addition, the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine will place a new order, worth £300 million, for 120,000 rounds of 152mm soviet-era ammunition bolstering Ukraine’s defences against Russia.

Speaking to President Zelenskyy in their first official bilateral, the Prime Minister underscored that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO. 

The Prime Minister also met President Biden at the White House last night..

The Prime Minister congratulated President Biden for hosting an excellent NATO summit so far. Both leaders agreed that in its 75th year, NATO is stronger and more united than ever. 

They reflected on the importance of the NATO alliance and the special relationship in the context of current geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. They agreed we must continue to do whatever it takes to support Ukraine and ensure aggressors like Putin do not win.

Moving on to discuss the situation in Israel and Gaza, they discussed their shared ambition for an immediate ceasefire to get hostages out, get humanitarian aid in and make progress towards a two-state solution. 

The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent comments on establishing closer relationships with our European counterparts, as well as the UK’s commitment to AUKUS. They reflected that at a time when we face growing challenges across the world, we are at our strongest when we unite and work together.

This morning [Thursday, 11 July], the Prime Minister will tell NATO allies during a special session on Ukraine that the alliance must follow in the footsteps of its founders and stand up for the values the international community holds so dear. 

He will also warn that the frontline defence of the Euro-Atlantic region is the Ukrainian trenches. 

He will say: “NATO was founded by the generation who defeated fascism. They understood not just the value of our strength, but the strength of our values. 

“Those values are under attack once again. Putin needs to hear a clear message ringing out from this summit – a message of unity and determination, that we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to uphold our shared values and our shared security. “ 

The UK has delivered almost £12.5bn in military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and miscalculated full scale invasion in February 2022. 

This year alone, the UK has committed 200 new air defence missiles, more than £300 million worth of advanced drones and 50 new sanctions to suffocate profit streams fuelling Putin’s war machine. 

Since the launch of Putin’s assault, the Ministry of Defence estimates that more than 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in pursuit of his pointless ambitions.

UK bolsters support for Ukraine and low-income countries

  • Chancellor confirms UK stands ready to provide additional $500 million in UK guaranteed loans for Ukraine, plus $670m in new loan funding for developing nations
  • New money brings total UK funding for IMF’s trusts to $5.3billion to help reduce poverty and boost energy security, plus $1bn for Ukraine this year
  • Funding confirmed as Chancellor reaffirms his plan to get the U.K. economy growing to global finance ministers meeting in Washington D.C. this week

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has confirmed the UK stands ready to provide an additional $500m in UK guaranteed loans for Ukraine, taking this year’s total to $1bn and the total amount pledged by the UK in support of Ukraine to £6.5bn.

This comes as he attends the International Monetary Fund’s Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., alongside fellow supporters of Ukraine, and today took part in a roundtable on support for the country.

This new money will help to meet Ukraine’s economic needs including covering the costs of vital government services, such as running hospitals and schools as well as supporting the most vulnerable Ukrainians.

The Chancellor has also committed a further $670m to reduce poverty and drive growth, going above and beyond previous commitments to boost financial support for developing nations through the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. With this pledge the UK has fulfilled the commitment made during its G7 Presidency to deliver multi-billion-dollar funding to fight poverty and boost growth. 

This funding brings the total given by the UK to the Trust to $2 billion and comes alongside the UK’s delivery of a $3.3 billion pledge to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, which provides affordable long-term financing to low-income countries and vulnerable middle-income countries to address challenges such as climate change, energy security and pandemic preparedness.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “The $1bn of budget support we have committed to Ukraine this year will ensure that the country has the financing to keep the lights on, hospitals running and schools open. This, alongside UK military support, will help defeat Putin.

“But our efforts for a fairer world don’t end there. We are also making good on our G7 Presidency commitments and delivering a multi-billion-pound package of support to reduce poverty and bolster energy security across developing countries.”

The UK’s financial commitment to Ukraine has helped unlock the IMF’s provision of a $15.6bn 4-year programme for the country.

In total, the UK has pledged £6.5bn in support of Ukraine, including $1bn in loans guaranteed by the UK to support Ukraine’s economy in 2023 – meaning that it can continue to pay pensions and public sector pay – and £2.3bn in military support for 2023. This June the UK will also host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, focussing on mobilising further private sector investment.

At the IMF Spring Meetings, the Chancellor will also highlight the impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine on the global economy and push for action in addressing developing country needs on debt. The economic impacts from Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine are being felt across the globe, with developing nations particularly affected by increases in food prices. The latest $670m commitment to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust adds to the UK’s previous agreement to the fund of $1.3bn, with the total now standing at $2bn.

The Chancellor signed this commitment on Wednesday alongside IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In this meeting, he also finalised a $3.3bn pledge on behalf of the UK to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust. Funding for this Trust will play a vital role in providing financing to bolster energy and combat climate change, including for Ukraine and other countries worst affected by the war.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “Russia continues to bombard Ukraine’s people and destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. The UK is resolute in its commitment to support Ukraine until peace is agreed on Ukrainian terms.

“This funding will boost Ukraine’s economic resilience and bolster its resistance against Russia. Working with the IMF and international partners, I am proud of the UK’s contribution to unlocking vital finance for Ukraine.

“Ensuring Ukraine’s fiscal, humanitarian and recovery needs is a core part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine. That’s why the UK is proud to be co-hosting – jointly with Ukraine – the Ukraine Recovery Conference.”

A challenging World Economic Outlook published by the IMF earlier this week predicted a ‘rocky road’ for global economies, including the U.K., however Britain is still forecast to see faster growth than Germany, France and Italy in each of years from 2025 to 2028. The UK avoided recession in 2022 and is now expected to avoid recession this year. According to the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, the UK is on track to more than halve inflation this year and reduce debt by the end of the forecast period.

The Chancellor is currently attending his first IMF meeting in Washington D.C., discussing how his Autumn Statement and Spring Budget have set the UK on a stable path to growth. He will attend IMF Committee meetings, G7 and G20 finance minister meetings and a series of bilateral engagements.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Our support for other countries comes at a time when I am deeply focussed on getting the UK’s economy growing, and our plan for that is working as we’re on track to halve inflation this year.

“A strong UK economy, creating jobs and raising living standards for all will benefit citizens at home as well as having knock on positive impact around the world.”

UK signs historic trade deal with Ukraine as part of enhanced support

  • Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Ukrainian First Minister sign UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement to provide vital support for Ukrainian economy
  • Department for Business and Trade mobilises UK businesses to engage in future reconstruction projects in Ukraine with major conference
  • UK pledges to extend the removal of tariffs on all Ukrainian products until March 2024

The UK today [Monday 20 March] signed a pivotal digital trade deal with Ukraine that will support the country’s economy and greatly enhance the UK-Ukraine trade and investment relationship.

The Department for Business and Trade today hosted a number of Ukrainian ministers, as well as 200 UK and international businesses and officials, at Mansion House to lay the foundation for closer future co-operation.

The Road to Ukraine Recovery Conference, geared towards supporting Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan and mobilising UK businesses to engage in future Ukraine reconstruction projects, opened with a welcome from the Business and Trade Secretary. This event, and our mobilisation of UK industry, is a key stepping stone on our route to the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be hosted in London in June.

Ms Badenoch, alongside Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, virtually signed a ground-breaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help Ukraine support its economy through the current crisis and lay foundations for its recovery and revival.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said: “The historic digital trade deal signed today paves the way for a new era of modern trade between our two countries.

“We are also extending tariff free trade on imports from Ukraine to early 2024, providing much needed support to Ukrainian businesses. These initiatives will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in Ukraine’s post-war future.”

Since June 2022, UK negotiators worked at record pace with their Ukrainian counterparts to deliver a deal after President Zelenskyy highlighted the important role Ukraine’s first ever digitally focused trade agreement could play in bolstering his country’s economy.

Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s facilitation of cross-border data flows. Ukrainian businesses will also be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy for Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko said: “This digital trade agreement illustrates that Ukrainian IT companies operating in Ukraine are in demand around the world despite all the challenges of war.

“The UA-UK Digital Trade Agreement has enshrined core freedoms for trade in digital goods and services. Ukraine believes that an open and free framework for the digital economy is the best investment in future oriented development.”

The UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support pledged since 24 February 2022 now amounts to over £4 billion. The UK is a key partner for Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts.

We hosted the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Summit in June 2022, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to play a leading role in the reconstruction of Kyiv Oblast and set up the Infrastructure Taskforce to implement this agreement.

Stuart Senior, Member of the Supervisory Board, Gleeds said: “As international construction consultants, Gleeds has had a presence in Ukraine for many years. We welcome this new agreement which strengthens UK-Ukraine relationships and helps Ukraine’s increasing development as a modern, open economy.

“The DTA will remove barriers to digital trade and enable partnership initiatives and collaborative working to be delivered more effectively. It will also further enhance the acceleration of economic recovery through the faster delivery of critical infrastructure reconstruction projects by implementing better processes and standards.”

In the margins of the Road to URC event, the UK confirmed its intention to extend the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian products until March 2024. This follows the UK’s world-leading decision in May 2022 to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero and will provide much needed support to Ukrainian businesses given the impact of the war on Ukraine’s ability to export goods.

The UK also continues to support Ukraine through decisive sanctions against Russia. The UK and its allies have introduced the most severe economic sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, including on £20 billion (96%) of UK-Russia goods trade from 2021.

Sanctions are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin’s ability to wage war. Since the start of the invasion, UK goods imports from Russia have fallen by 99% and goods exports to Russia have fallen by 80%.

First Minister attends the Tattoo with special guests from Ukraine

Over the weekend First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attended The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Seated in the Royal Gallery, Ms Sturgeon was accompanied by a group of Ukrainian teenagers, currently residing in Scotland to take in the spectacle of this year’s Show, Voices.  

On arrival, the Tattoo gave each of the teenagers a specially designed Tattoo t-shirt inspired by the Ukrainian flag and the special projections included in this year’s show.  

In March 2022, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo showed its support for the people of Ukraine by flying the Ukrainian flag high above their Cockburn Street Office, while opening their shop doors to function as a pop-up donation hub in support of the work of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

Alongside this, the Tattoo made a charitable donation of £20,000 to the Disasters Emergency Appeal; it is now furthering its support of the relief efforts by launching these Ukrainian dedicated t-shirts with £10 from each sale being donated to the Association of Ukrainians in Edinburgh to fund their excellent work with refugees to Scotland.   

Buster Howes, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “It is always an honour to welcome the First Minister to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, but it was even more significant to host her alongside these young people from Ukraine.   

“The Tattoo is a celebration of the connections, culture and creativity which frame our common humanity, and which unite us all; we are always delighted to introduce young people to the vivid multinational spectacle we present.  We stand resolutely alongside the embattled people of Ukraine.” 

Over 900 performers from across the globe are taking part in this year’s Tattoo. Voices, is a celebration of expression, giving a stage to performers and acts from around the globe to share their voices through the spoken word, song, music, and dance.  

You can purchase these special edition t-shirts at online at www.edintattoo.co.uk, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Shop & Box Office, located at 1 Cockburn Street in Edinburgh or at the Retail Kiosks at the Show.

The Show runs until 27 August 2022. Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188. 

Ukraine: Three month pause for Scotland’s Super Sponsor scheme

Closing from Wednesday ‘ensuring support can continue after large increase of new applications’

A three-month pause on new visa applications for displaced Ukrainians to come to Scotland will be in place from 9:00 am on Wednesday 13 July.

The pause on new applications will not affect anyone who has already made an application or had their visa granted.

With visa applications listing the Scottish Government as sponsor up 21% on the previous week as of 5 July, visas issued up 27%, and arrivals under the super sponsor scheme up 20%, a temporary suspension is needed to ensure safe accommodation can continue to be provided to those who have already applied and may now travel to Scotland.

A total of 21,256 visas have been issued naming a Scottish sponsor – more than 20% of the UK total, and the highest number per head of population in the UK. Scotland is currently providing sanctuary for over 7,000 people, two-thirds of whom applied under the Scottish super sponsor scheme.

This exceeds the 3,000 the Scottish Government committed to welcome when the scheme launched in March, to provide a rapid route to safety for those fleeing the crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to the pause, the following actions are being taken:                                   

  • the chartering of a passenger vessel the M/S Victoria, which will be docked in Leith in Edinburgh to provide an additional 739 rooms where people can be temporarily accommodated
  • the refurbishment of 200 unused council properties in North Lanarkshire to provide more longer-term accommodation, supported by £5 million of Scottish Government funding
  • additional staff will be deployed in ‘surge teams’ to assist local authorities matching those in temporary premises to suitable longer-term accommodation
  • the Wheatley Housing Group, Scotland’s largest social landlord, has pledged to make 300 homes available to local authorities across Scotland to house displaced people from Ukraine
  • Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine, Neil Gray will also meet today with Lord Harrington, UK Minister for Refugees, to seek clarity on existing funding arrangements for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and, given the very high demand experienced by the Welsh and Scottish Government schemes, ask whether the UK Government will consider introducing its own super sponsor arrangements

Mr Gray said: “As a nation Scotland has risen in solidarity with Ukrainians in their hour of need. I am proud that thanks in large part to our super sponsor scheme, we are now providing safe accommodation to the most Ukrainians per head of population in the UK.

“We have been able to ensure thousands of people displaced by Russia’s horrific and illegal war were able to travel immediately and receive support and a place to stay without the need to be matched with a private host first.

“Our absolute priority has been to respond quickly to support those forced to flee their homeland and I thank all local authorities, third sector organisations, the private sector and the public, who have all mobilised in a major effort to help – together we have coordinated accommodation and delivered essential services at a large scale and in a very short space of time. 

“With a recent decrease in people applying for private sponsorship in England, and Wales having paused their own scheme, the number of applications naming the Scottish Government as sponsor has increased considerably in recent weeks. For this reason we have taken the incredibly difficult decision to follow Wales in pausing our scheme so we can continue to provide a high level of support and care to everyone who has already been granted a visa.

“We will review our position in three months, but of course if circumstances change during that time we will bring that date forward. In the meantime we are taking significant action to increase the capacity of our temporary accommodation and are also boosting our matching system to maximise the number of displaced people placed with volunteer hosts who have completed the necessary safeguarding checks.”

Responding to the news, Labour MSP Foysul Choudhury said: “I have been warning the Scottish Government for months that while they congratulated themselves for welcoming thousands of new refugees, hundreds of Afghan and Syrian refugees had been stuck in hotels and other temporary accommodation for years on end with seemingly no plan to tackle this accommodation shortage.

“Now we finally have the admission that the Scottish Government cannot house many of the refugees who have arrived, to the point where they are suspending the Super Sponsor Scheme and chartering a ship to hold refugees instead.

“I cannot overemphasise the disruption that this will cause to the lives of refugees who have arrived in Scotland seeking sanctuary. Being stuck in temporary accommodation means that people are unable to put down roots and begin to rebuild their lives, because they never know when they might be moved on and forced to start again. It is safety without security.

“I have spoken to many refugees from Syria and Afghanistan who have now been stuck in hotels for several years, often accommodation that is unfit for the family they have with them. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, I have urged the Scottish Government to learn the lessons from the experiences of these previous waves of refugees. That they have failed to do at best demonstrates their unrealistic expectations and at worst represents negligence.

“The Scottish Government must ensure that its plans to charter a ship to hold refugees are truly only temporary, and that conditions aboard are sanitary and fit for purpose in the meantime. We cannot afford to end up in a situation where people are still stuck on the ship as many years later as the previous waves of refugees have now been stuck in hotels.”

Council tells Russian diplomats: ‘You’re Not Welcome Here’

Council Leader Adam McVey has written to the Russian Ambassador in London to state that Russia’s Consulate is no longer welcome in Scotland’s Capital city.

In line with the decision made by Council on 17 March, the strongly worded letter to Mr Andrey Kelin says the City of Edinburgh Council has severed all existing and future engagements with the Russian Consulate, until Russia withdraws from Ukraine.

In it, the Leader clarifies that this move is a measure against Russia’s war and it’s ruler – and does not oppose Russian citizens, many of whom have expressed opposition to their country’s territorial policies.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: ““Countless Russians around the world and here in Edinburgh have spoken out against this war – but it isn’t these courageous people of conscience the Russian Consulate or Russian Ambassador stand for. Their offices represent Putin’s tyrannical regime and the horrific war crimes being made against Ukraine.

“Our ties will be severed for as long as this illegal invasion persists and our solidarity will remain with the people of Ukraine, many of whom have fled their home country to seek refuge here in Edinburgh. We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure they feel safe, heard and welcome in our city from the moment they land.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day commented: “As a city, we condemn the actions of Putin’s regime and all those who support it by remaining silent. This includes the Russian Consulate and Russian Ambassador, which are no longer welcome in Edinburgh, and I hope this letter spells out our stance loud and clear.

“It’s one of many symbolic actions we are taking against Russia’s war on Ukraine, alongside giving the Freedom of the City to Ukraine’s heroic political leaders Volodymyr Zelensky and Vitali Klitschko, flying the Ukrainian flag above the City Chambers and lighting up the Granton gasholder blue and yellow.

“Our most vital work, however, is taking place on the ground. We’re supporting aid efforts to Poland and Ukraine and helping refugees settle into new lives. We are working closely with partners across all sectors on this and have allocated £100,000 of Council funding to support it.”

The letter in full:

Dear Mr Andrei Kelin,

At the City of Edinburgh Full Council meeting on March 17th 2022, Councillors from all parties voted unanimously to condemn the brutal war perpetuated by Russia and made clear that the Russian Consulate is no longer welcome in Edinburgh until Russia stops this illegal war and Russian troops leave Ukrainian soil.

The Council also agreed to sever all existing and future engagements with the Russian Consul.We are joining many others in opposing this Russian invasion and the murder of innocent Ukrainians.

However, even as those measures are taken, we make clear that our city is not an enemy of the Russian people, we recognise the courageous actions across the Russian population who have expressed opposition to this war at great cost to themselves at the hands of their own Government in Moscow.

We are witnessing the actions of the Government you represent, and the murder of brave Ukrainian civilians and soldiers- which will be investigated as war crimes in due course. Our wholehearted sympathy and thoughts are with the Ukrainian people is resisting the Russian Government’s illegal and senseless war.

Until Russia withdraws from Ukraine, I reiterate that we will not be accepting any civic invitations or collaborations of any kind and I ask that you withdraw the Consul from our City immediately- they are not welcome in Edinburgh.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Adam McVey

Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council

Peter Vardy Group “stands in solidarity” with the people of Ukraine

Peter Vardy Group, the Scotland-wide automotive businesses, has raised more than £200,000 for the people of Ukraine. The family-run company, which is headquartered in Motherwell, is donating 10 per cent of its profits in March 2022 to Ukraine.

So far this has seen Peter Vardy Group give £200,000 to The Big Give, a matched donations platform where funds are raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of 15 UK aid charities which coordinates and launches emergency fundraising appeals.

Peter Vardy, chief executive of Peter Vardy Group, said the business “stands in solidarity” with the people of Ukraine. “We believe every life is worthy and we are shocked and saddened by the recent events in Ukraine.

“As a Group, we are committed to help support the people affected by the invasion of Ukraine and have redirected our current Giving Back programme to support humanitarian projects there.”

Peter Vardy Group donates 10 per cent of its annual profits to good causes across the UK and internationally, with funds being distributed through the Group’s charity foundation, The Peter Vardy Foundation.

Giving Back is the Group’s community giving programme, with employees from across its 15 dealerships and two offices taking part in regular fund raising and volunteering activities to support the communities within which each operates.

To further support the people of Ukraine, Peter Vardy Group is dedicating its ‘One Child’ programme to the Ukraine appeal for the month of March 2022. For every car sold, Peter Vardy Group donates £15 to One Child and asks customers to match their donation. On average, 7 out of 10 customers match the Peter Vardy donation.

Peter Vardy Group operates across Scotland, with locations in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell, and Perth all of which are hosting drop-off points for physical donations which will then be transported to the logistics network taking goods to Ukraine. The dealerships also ran onsite fundraising activities throughout the month of March.

Mr Vardy said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine.”

Dunbar Bear sculpture to be lit up again following vandalism

A kind offer from an external lighting manufacturer will see The DunBear, the sculpture of a brown bear beside the A1 at Dunbar, illuminated again.

The generous offer of six new solar panels by Acrospire, a UK designer and manufacturer of external lighting, follows recent vandalism of the solar panels that provides the lighting for the five-metre-high steel sculpture.

The major East Lothian visitor attraction has been subjected to repeated acts of mindless vandalism, spoiling people’s enjoyment of the sculpture, the most recent just last month.

A tribute to the pioneering Dunbar-born naturalist and conservationist, John Muir, who played a key role in the establishment of National Parks in the USA, the sculpture is much-loved by the local community and has attracted increased footfall to the town, benefitting it immensely.

On hearing of the vandalism and being aware of the considerable enjoyment The DunBear brings to both visitors and locals alike, Kevin Grigg, Sales Director at Acrospire immediately offered their expertise, replacing the damaged solar panels free of charge to see the scheme illuminated once again. 

Designed by renowned Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott, also responsible for The Kelpies, The DunBear was erected in 2019 by Hallhill Developments and is lit up with different colours on key dates, such as Valentine’s Day and St Andrew’s Day (above).

It forms the centrepiece of DunBear Park, a proposed 54.3-acre low carbon community that aims to include a range of commercial, community and residential uses.

Prior to the vandalism it was the intent to light up the sculpture in the colours of the Ukraine flag – yellow and blue – in solidarity with the people of the Ukraine. This will be attempted again once the new panels are installed.

Ken Ross from Hallhill Developments, which is responsible for The DunBear and is undertaking the DunBear Park development, commented: “We cannot thank Acrospire enough for its very generous supply of six replacement solar panels.

“The vandalism we have experienced is deeply sad to see – especially at a time when we had planned to illuminate it in yellow and blue in support and solidarity of the people of Ukraine.

“We know that this sculpture is popular with the community and would request that it be vigilant and report any vandalism to the police if they see it happening again.”

Sleep Cove Podcast Plans Ukraine Charity Special Episode

Sleep Cove, one of the world’s largest Health podcasts, is hosting a Ukraine charity special episode. All sponsorship money will be donated to charities with the episode content chosen by Ukrainians.

Christopher Fitton, the founder of Sleep Cove, the podcast that helps people sleep with hypnosis, meditations and stories, is producing a charity special episode for the people of Ukraine.

Christopher says, “Before I worked full-time in mental health, I contracted for a tech company that had many staff based in Ukraine, especially Kharkiv.

“My colleagues were fantastic people and upon seeing how the terrible invasion unfolded, I reached out to them, offering to do a charity special for a Ukrainian cause of their choice.

“A Ukrainian fairy-tale called Kotyhoroshko (pea-roller in English) was chosen as the bedtime story for the episode. It’s a tale of how a boy defeats a dragon, which seems like a perfect analogy right now.

There will be a charity drive on the show for listeners to donate to charities helping Ukraine and its people.”

The episode goes live today – 14th March. All episode sponsorship money from present and future advertisements will be donated to these causes: