A Perth man who led a mission to rescue children at risk from the conflict in Ukraine received an exceptional service award from the prime minister at 10 Downing Street this month.
Steven Carr founded charity Dnipro Kids to help Ukrainian children after travelling Hibernian fans first forged links with a local orphanage when the Scottish side played Dnipro in the UEFA Cup in 2005.
The Hibees held a collection for the orphanage and stayed in touch after returning to Scotland, setting up the charity and arranging a sponsorship scheme for orphans.
When the city came under attack from Russian forces Steven formed a plan to rescue a group of 50 children from five orphanages.
After flying to neighbouring Poland, Steven went to the border to assess the situation.
He then organised a bus from Poland to Lviv to transport the children and their carers to safety in two separate voyages.
After an agonising two-week wait for visas, and a specially arranged flight from Warsaw, the children arrived in Callander in March, whilst preparations were made for a longer-term stay in Edinburgh.
Six more children have since then arrived from the war-torn country.
Steven received his Points of Light award during a visit to the home of prime minister Boris Johnson on August 9.
Points of Light are “outstanding individual volunteers” who are making a change in their local community and further afield.
This is the second prestigious accolade the new Strathallan councillor has received, along with his Pride of Scotland Awards.
Upon receiving the award at Downing Street, Steven commented: “As soon as it happened, I felt we had to get out there and do something.
“I went to Ukraine, I drove a bus into Ukraine and picked these children up.
“I have been doing work in Ukraine for many, many years. Ukraine has been very much a part of my life for many years.
“The Ukrainian children, I’m part of their lives, they’re a part of my life.
“When things happened I just felt that I needed to do something.”
Speaking to the PA this week, he added: “The whole occasion was quite surreal and humbling if I am honest.
“I am a normal person and walking through the doors of 10 Downing Street was very surreal.
“It was amazing to receive the award. I was allowed to go with two of the Dnipro kids, Sasha and Daryna.
“They were very excited and very appreciative.”
Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “Steven is one of the many thousands and thousands of people across this country who have been helping to look after people who have fled Ukraine in the last few months and I want to thank you Steven for everything that you’ve done to find homes for Ukrainian children.”
