Ukrainian orphans given green light to come to the UK
Edinburgh charity Dnipro Kids say they are "over the moon" after final paperwork was issued to bring 52 orphans from Ukraine to the UK
Edinburgh charity Dnipro Kids has been given the greenlight to finally bring 52 Ukrainian orphans to the UK.
The charity, started by Hibs fans, evacuated the children to Poland after the Russian invasion.
They are now bringing them to Scotland, as they feel they are best placed to care for them here.
Commenting, Dnipro Kids Chair Steven Carr, who led the evacuation effort from Lviv in Ukraine and Poland said:
"I'm over the moon that it now seems we can finally bring the Dnipro Kids to sanctuary in Scotland. This is a huge relief and I'm thankful to all involved in reaching this breakthrough.
"We’ve known these children and their carers for many years, and I'm looking forward to bringing them back to Scotland where they can finally get the peace and security they need.
"The assistance we've received from Ian Blackford, Lord Harrington, Kevin Foster, the Scottish Government and UK government, Polish and Ukrainian authorities, Virgin Atlantic, and many others has been exceptional - and I want to place on record my thanks to them all."
SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:
"I'm absolutely delighted that the necessary paperwork has now been issued and I am working closely with Dnipro Kids, the Scottish Government, and Virgin Atlantic to ensure we can get the children safely to Scotland imminently.
"The priority through all of this is the safety and wellbeing of the children - and this paperwork should be the final piece of the jigsaw they have been waiting for. I hope we can now ensure they will soon be warmly welcomed to sanctuary in Scotland without further delay."