Edinburgh Rugby is due to host 1,500 Ukrainian refugees at BT Murrayfield next weekend against Glasgow Warriors in the 2nd leg of the 1872 cup on Friday 30 December.
Tickets to the derby decider were offered to Ukrainian refugees who are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of a working partnership between City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisation Council.
The 1872 cup is annually contested between the teams of East and West and this year is even more special as it is the 150th anniversary of the two teams competing for the trophy.
READ MORE - Derelict former Edinburgh factory could be transformed into new business park
Ukrainian refugees, Kiril Tolalaiko and Olexandra Kaidaba said: “It is very important to attend the game” and “It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Edinburgh Community Manager, Ruaridh Pie said: “We’ve got Ukrainians in Edinburgh right now who at this time of year will be finding life challenging enough.”
“If we can offer them an evening of rest bite to come to the game and enjoy themselves and forget about what is happening at home then that’s all that we want."
Edinburgh Rugby players, Jamie Hodgson and Nick Auterac met with Ukrainian refugees at Leith Rugby club ahead of their 1872 cup match opener against Glasgow at Scotstoun this weekend. Jamie said: “To have them coming to the game will be massive for the squad.
“I think it’s great to have 1,500 of them coming down to Murrayfield for the game so it’s awesome if we can help in some way to take their minds off of what is going on back home."
During the meet and greet at Leith Rugby club, the President, Jim Smith said: “We have offered them facilities to run about in fresh air and have a bit of freedom.”
Edinburgh will host Glasgow Warriors next Friday at Murrayfield after Edinburgh travel to Scotstoun this weekend for the 1st leg of the 1872 cup.
READ NEXT:
'One of a kind' Edinburgh mum with three daughters dies suddenly as tributes flood in
Edinburgh woman Meryl makes it to The Traitors final with Claudia Winkleman
Mum claims Evri courier stole Christmas gifts and sold them at car boot sale
West Lothian teen killed in horror crash by drugged-up driver speeding at 100mph
West Lothian woman fumes as she is 'banned' from taking mobility scooter on buses
