An Ayrshire peace group is set to stand in support of Ukraine this weekend – with residents encouraged to bring donations for refugees fleeing war.
Ayr Amnesty will have a stall in the town centre today from 10am until 12.30pm as they show solidarity with the Eastern European nation being subjected to bombardment from Russia.
A collection will also be held to support Ayr shop owner Olga Stewart (Milchenko), who is taking in donations at her Newmarket Street business Olga's Alterations.
Ayrshire Live exclusively told this week how Olga’s family are currently hiding in bunkers fearing for their lives as she revealed the terror of her war-torn home.
The group will be stationed outside Café Monza on the High Street and will be providing information on how to support refugees and the details on the Scottish Peace Movement.
Long-standing peace campaigner Marion McPherson, who has more than 35 years experience with the Amnesty group, told Ayrshire Live: “As a local group, we do a lot of campaigning for refugees. Right now, Ukraine is on the cusp of a refugee crisis and a humanitarian crisis and we must act now to provide support to their people.
“I noticed Olga had a Ukrainian flag in her shop when I was visiting as a customer.
“After speaking to her I realised just how much pain this woman is in, she is physically suffering with what is going on in her country.
“I thought we could set up a street stand to inform people and I would encourage people to take donations to Olga’s shop to be sent to people who need it now.
“These refugees that are fleeing to different countries will need a constant stream of supplies.
“It is a completely awful situation.”
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