Ukrainian youngsters who escaped Vladimir Putin’s troops have been welcomed into Scotland with 'open arms'.
The youngsters, known as the ‘Dnipro Kids', were caught up in Poland for several weeks over issues with their travel documents.
After finally getting clearance, the 52 orphans, who lived in group homes with siblings and carers in Ukraine, were ferried by bus to a waiting plane and flown to Edinburgh.
On their arrival to Scotland, the group, aged between one and 18, was first taken to a hostel in Callander, Stirlingshire.
Steven Carr, Chairman of Dnipro Kids, which was formed by Hibernian FC supporters following a UEFA Cup trip, led the evacuation effort from several orphanages and has made a number of trips to oversee and help the operation.
Steven told the Daily Record: "We all know Scottish people take care of their own, so it's been great to see them treating the group the same. They've been welcomed with open arms. The generosity has been amazing.
"Obviously what the Dnipro Kids have been through is very traumatising. It's been a huge upheaval to their lives and a very difficult situation for them to deal with, but they are coping as well as they can."
After a traumatic few weeks, the kids were given time to relax and settle in to the country when they arrived last month.
So far they have been taken swimming, cycling and bowling and a boat trip on Loch Katrine, as well as enjoying days out to Blair Drummond Safari Park and Stirling Castle.
They were were even given traditional Scottish Country Dancing lessons.
They have now moved to accommodation in Edinburgh, but Steven said the end goal of this journey is to get them back home to Ukraine.
He added: "We want to get them back home. That's the main aim here. They have friends and loved ones still in Ukraine and when it's safe to do so, we hope they will be able to return to what they know."
Edinburgh City Council is understood to have organised additional support to meet their needs, assisted by a number of charities.
As reported by the Edinburgh Evening News, Stirling Council Chief Executive Carol Beattie, who addressed the group at a farewell event, said: “Given the terrible trauma experienced by the children and adults in fleeing Ukraine, we hope the last three weeks in Callander have been an opportunity for them to have some space, sanctuary and respite.
“I would also like to pay a heartfelt tribute our dedicated staff and our public sector partners who rose to the challenge magnificently to deliver such high-quality support and care to the children and young people.
“I also need like to thank the people of Callander and our other communities for their warm welcome to the children and adults and the incredible offers of support. The generosity and kindness from residents, organisations and businesses has really been overwhelming and a reminder of the fantastic community spirit.”
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