A foodbank has shown its support for Ukraine by hosting a Mothers’ Day event for refugees and sending more than 125kg of supplies to the war-torn nation.
On March 17 Old Kilpatrick Community Food Parcels (OKFP) hosted a special Mothers’ Day event for Ukrainian families who had fled to Scotland.
It gave youngsters and their parents the chance to meet new friends at a time where thoughts were very much with loved ones back home.
And OKFP founder Maureen Cummings admitted it was an emotional afternoon.
She told the Lennox: “It was fantastic. It was really inspiring and uplifting.
“Most of the women had met once before, but they have kept in contact since the Ukrainian Day we hosted last month. They had all exchanged numbers, which was exactly what I was hoping would happen.
“They have all been chatting since then. The kids already knew each other from last month, which was really lovely. There was none of the shyness that we’d seen previously, the kids were all just playing about.
“Staff from HMP Low Moss came down with memory boxes that had been made there, which were absolutely exquisite. They were beautiful.
“On the bottom of the memory boxes the prisoners had painted a Scottish flag and a Ukrainian flag that you wouldn’t know was there until the boxes were turned upside down. That was a really nice moment.
“It was a lovely thing to see.
“We put on a buffet and some cartoons for the kids. We ended the day by all standing together and playing the national anthem. That was really emotional.
“Our screen showed the Ukrainian flag flying to let them know that it’s all very well having a nice day, but we’re conscious that they aren’t at home. And that they are missing themselves. It was lovely.”
OKFP’s support to Ukraine also saw 125kg of toiletries sent out to the country, as well as treats for children caught up in the horrors of war.
Maureen explained: “Natalia Lutsyk from one of the Ukrainian families we work with had asked us for some toiletries and sweets for the kids.
“We’d forgotten that there’s no running water in most of the houses they are staying in. We had to think about toiletries that you wouldn’t need water with.
“It was like mouthwash, baby wipes, dry shampoo and roll-on deodorants.
“In the space of two weeks we collected about 125 kilos of donations in the hub. Natalia and her friends collected it, parcelled it up and it arrived in Ukraine last week.
“We had a photo sent of a couple with the Scottish flag and the Ukrainian flag, and all you can see is bombed houses around them is so powerful.
“That was the flag that we chucked in the box as a wee afterthought to let them know that Scotland is thinking about them. To see that stark image was really moving.
“We are planning on doing another collection in May.
“Natalia had said that the children were so ecstatic at getting the sweets. It was the most basic of things that our kids wouldn’t bat an eyelid at; Haribos and Drumstick lollies.
“But it’s another wee thing that you don’t think about.
“There’s no likelihood of the kids over there getting a nice wee sweetie.”
OKFP is nearing its third anniversary, having been set up by Maureen and husband Gordon during the first lockdown.
And she admits she has been blown away by how quickly it has grown, with a community garden and outreach takeaway at the Saltings set to launch later this year.
Maureen added: “I hadn’t ever imagined doing something like this. Our main focus in 2020 was to keep people going during the summer, whilst we were in lockdown.
“Once the summer was finished we thought we’d all be back at work and this would all be in the past.
“We wanted to have as good a time as we could have, make as many people smile as we could and then get back to the day job. That’s gone out the window now!”
