A heroic Edinburgh man ensured that orphans who had to flee war torn Odessa in Ukraine to safety in Poland did not miss out on a magical Christmas.
Gavin Menzies, 36, from Ratho, has continuously visited Ukraine and Poland since the conflict broke out in order to supply vital aid in the form of clothes, bikes and medical supplies to displaced orphans. Through his efforts, he had raised just over £11,000 to support hundreds of kids from Odessa that had to be evacuated to Poland following the illegal invasion carried out by Russia.
But as Christmas approached, charitable Gavin spoke with a director who is charged with caring for over 600 orphans from the Black Sea port city, who told him that he did not know how he would deliver on the Christmas lists written by the children. This broke his heart and led to him setting the wheels in motion to attempt to ensure that Santa would be able to perform a Christmas miracle.
