A charity, which worked with children affected by the Chernobyl disaster, has planted sunflower seeds in solidarity with people in Ukraine.
East Lothian-based Fostering Compassion ran workshops with the youngsters who visited Scotland in 2018 and 2019 as part of an initiative with Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Trust and Swiis Foster Care.
The education charity, which helps vulnerable youngsters find their voice by using experiences of rescue animals to help them, has sent messages of support to families affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
And in a mark of solidarity staff have planted sunflower seeds - the national flower of Ukraine - in a pot in their office.
Lesley Winton, founder of the charity, said the thoughts of staff have been with the families as they recalled their time spent with the children.
She said: "We met the children in 2018 and 2019 when they visited Scotland and worked with them.
"We do not know where they are now but wanted to show our support and do something to say they are in our thoughts."
The sunflower features as a part of Fostering Compassion's workshops which teach children how to move on from mistakes.
Youngsters are encouraged to plant a seed and water it every day to help them realise that by making a better choice daily something beautiful can grow.
Fostering Compassion helps hundreds of children and young people every year and in 2020 saw more than 400 youngsters.
The charity, which started in 2013 when it supported just 10 children, saw numbers rise over the last year with an increase in demand for help and a move to offer online workshops.
It’s workshops centre around helping children tap into their empathy and emotions by talking about the experiences of rescue animals and relating it to how they feel.
The work has proved extremely successful in helping children identified as struggling with behaviour or emotional issues.
The charity is currently fundraising to ensure it can continue its work with a campaign launched last November to raise £20,023 by November 2023 when it will mark its 10th anniversary of providing support.
Lesley is appealing to supporters of the charity to consider pledging £50 each over the next two years – £2 a month – to help them reach their goal or set up a direct debit for £2/3 a month for two years.
She said: “If we can get 400 people to raise £50 over the next two years we will meet our goal which will allow us to continue our work, which is more in demand than ever these days.”
The charity has a range of workshops for different age groups and before the pandemic regularly brought rescue animals and therapy ponies into workshops to meet with youngsters.
Ways to support the charity campaign to raise funds, including signing up for a small direct debit or buying a doggy bandana can be found on its website www.fosteringcompassion.org
