Sending essentials from Inverness to mums in Ukraine with love
An Inverness woman is collecting vital supplies to send to Ukraine.
Claire Davidson is appealing for items for the Scot Baby Box Appeal.
She said it sends pre-loved baby boxes and other essential items to babies and their families, caught up in poverty or crisis situations.
Miss Davidson said: “Scot Baby Box Appeal started in February 2022 with a post on Facebook calling for mums to donate their pre-loved Baby Box – provided by the Scottish Government to all newborns in Scotland – to be sent to Ukraine.”
She said that, following the Russian invasion, new mums were having to give birth in subways or basements of maternity hospitals, adding: “These boxes can be used as cribs and could be sent to Ukraine full of other essential aid items for a newborn. The charity has grown and also supports refugees and local communities in Scotland.
“We have over 9000 members in our Facebook community, 95 per cent of whom reside in Scotland. We have hubs and drop-off points locally across Scotland but have also received donations from further afield in the UK and Europe.”
Miss Davidson, who works for Highland Council, said she volunteered for the charity in October and offered to host a new drop-off point for donations for the appeal’s Winter Essentials campaign.
She added: “Our Winter Essentials campaign is looking for cold weather items to support affected families through the harsh Ukrainian winter. Our Baby Box campaign looks to reuse pre-loved Baby Boxes filled with clothes and toiletries for newborns along with other essentials and items for mum.
“I have been so pleased with the generous response.”
The 47-year-old, originally from Kent, said anyone wanting to make a donation should contact the Scot Baby Box Appeal Facebook page to find out more and to arrange drop-off for any donations.
She added: “If people can’t make a physical donation they can make a financial donation where possible; otherwise simply sharing our posts and updates within their own network helps to get our message out.”
It is hoped donations will be sent to Ukraine this month. “Logistics remains one of the biggest challenges for the appeal,” Miss Davidson said. “Trucks can cost up to £5000 to get the aid to Ukraine.
“A big thank you to all our supporters.”
