Glenkens community helping Ukrainian refugees enjoying the local sights

Ukrainian refugees living in and around the Glenkens have been enjoying seeing the sights – thanks to the generosity of locals.

Dalry man Paul Goodwin is hosting a Ukrainian family and thought it would be a good idea give them and others living locally the chance to get out and about.

He approached Glenkens Community Transport for the loan of a minibus for day trips and secured a grant from Glenkens Community Shop in Dalry.

Glen Murray at GCT kindly waived the set-up fee and the shop generously agreed to support the scheme.

And since then regular excursions have been arranged – with Paul and other volunteer drivers behind the wheel.

Five minibus day trips in all have been arranged for Ukrainian refugees staying in and around the Glenkens – with the latest being a visit to the Christmas Market in Carlisle.

Paul told the News: “A total of 22 Ukrainian people benefited from the trips. We’ve been to Dumfries for shopping and a visit to Dock Park, Kirkcudbright, the Isle of Whithorn and Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow.

“I think genuinely thy are quite surprised – you do sense that they don’t quite understand that it’s free.

“People have asked me ‘how much do we have to pay?’ When I say ‘nothing’ they just look and shake their heads.

“So many people here are helping them here in so many different ways.”